Jacob Murphy was one of the most consistent wingers in the Premier League last season. He has contributed to 20 of Newcastle's 68 goals, with 8 goals and 12 assists in the 2024-2025 season.
Those 12 assists are second only to Mohamed Salah 18.18 in the Premier League last season. Murphy's total of 11 assists from live-fire situations has been just two fewer than Newcastle's two in any other Premier League season and the most since the 1999-2000 campaign.
With all that, Murphy would have felt unfairly treated when the Anthony Elanga recruitment deal was confirmed. Murphy's role will likely be limited, leaving him as a reserve option on the right wing. The rookie worth around £55 million is a player that the Magpies have been trying to sign for a long time.
Newcastle tested Nottingham's determination with interest in Elanga last summer. Now, they have found the man they need after nearly 3 years of looking for an attacking option on the right wing.
Except for the strange two-month period from October to December 2022, when Miguel Almiron's eight goals in nine Premier League appearances made Newcastle fans hope that he could be the answer, the Paraguay international struggled to make an impact.
Matt Ritchie has contributed greatly in the early years of coach Eddie Howe, but clearly has not reached the level that the ambitious owners of Newcastle wanted.
Yankuba Minteh came to St James' Park as a promising player but was immediately loaned to Feyenoord for a season. The talent was sold to Brighton last summer, despite never playing an official game for Newcastle.
During Howe's three full seasons in charge of Newcastle, Murphy was indeed the only option on the right wing.
Elanga, who is nearly 7 years younger than Murphy, has shown enough in his two years at Nottingham Forest to show that he is an upgrade and the one who will help Newcastle fight on many fronts. The Magpies are looking to continue their great success from last season when they won the Carabao Cup.
Elanga's ability to use both feet well means he can also play comfortably on the left wing. Elanga can adjust different shooting positions without having to move the ball to his right foot.
That flexibility will be key for Newcastle in the 2025-2026 season when they are expected to play significantly more matches than the previous campaign.
Elanga will partner Anthony Gordon at St James' Park next season, making him one of the most potent attacking players in the top flight.
"I am very happy to welcome Anthony Elanga to Newcastle. He is one of our top transfer targets and it's great to complete this deal right from the start of the season" - Howe expressed his feelings.
