Newcastle United fans packed into St James' Park on August 9, 2025, eager for a glimpse of their latest marquee signing, Anthony Elanga, as the Magpies squared off against La Liga heavyweights Atletico Madrid in their final pre-season friendly before the Premier League curtain rises. While the 2-0 defeat may have dampened the scoreline, the real story was Elanga’s electrifying home debut and the tactical puzzles it revealed for head coach Eddie Howe ahead of a pivotal campaign.
Elanga, the Swedish international snapped up from Nottingham Forest for a hefty £55 million in early July, arrived on Tyneside with plenty of buzz. His transfer, initially celebrated, was soon overshadowed by the ongoing Alexander Isak saga and failed bids for other high-profile strikers. But as the summer wore on and Newcastle’s forward depth thinned—Callum Wilson departed and Isak signaled his intent to leave—Elanga’s arrival started to look less like a luxury and more like a lifeline.
On a sun-soaked afternoon in Newcastle, the 23-year-old winger wasted no time in making a statement. Lining up as part of a front three alongside Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, Elanga was tasked with injecting pace and directness into an attack that, by all accounts, has lacked firepower in pre-season. The crowd’s anticipation was palpable, and Elanga delivered in spades—at least for the opening 45 minutes.
Matched up against Atletico’s new signing Matteo Ruggeri, Elanga turned on the jets repeatedly, leaving Ruggeri scrambling and the home fans roaring in approval. His acceleration and willingness to take on defenders one-on-one had the stands buzzing and even prompted a few to wonder aloud how much more dangerous he might have looked with a proven striker to aim for in the box. According to Eddie Howe, "I thought he had a good first half today. When we got on the ball early, he showed his one vs one ability."
But as the match wore on, Atletico’s tactical nous—hallmarked by Diego Simeone’s defensive discipline—began to tell. Simeone instructed his side to cut off the supply to Elanga, stifling his influence and forcing Newcastle to look elsewhere for inspiration. It was a valuable lesson, both for Elanga and for Howe, as they prepare for the rigors of the Premier League. The Magpies will face teams less formidable than Atletico, but the blueprint for nullifying their new weapon has been set.
Despite the second-half frustrations, Howe’s post-match comments brimmed with optimism. "I thought he was a real threat. I think it’s for us to get to know his game a bit better and for him to understand what we do a little bit better. I think we’ll see a real player that can make a difference and frighten the opposition," Howe told reporters. The Spanish press, too, took notice—hailing Elanga as a "nightmare" for defenders and highlighting the unique challenge he poses with his speed and directness.
Elanga’s pedigree isn’t just about pace. Last season, he notched 11 Premier League assists for Nottingham Forest, a tally that would be welcome in any side, let alone a Newcastle squad that struggled to create clear-cut chances in pre-season. With Jacob Murphy’s output uncertain for the coming campaign and the club’s striker situation in flux, Elanga’s creativity and willingness to run at defenders offer a tantalizing new dimension.
Of course, the attacking burden won’t fall solely on Elanga’s shoulders. The likely front three for the season opener against Aston Villa—Gordon, Barnes, and Elanga—boasts goals and assists, but the lack of an experienced central striker remains a concern. William Osula and Sean Neave, both inexperienced, are the only recognized options in the middle as things stand. That’s a worry for Howe, who admitted that finding the right balance up front is a top priority. "I think it’s for us to get to know his game a bit better and for him to understand what we do a little bit better," Howe reiterated, underlining the need for cohesion as the season approaches.
Looking ahead, the Magpies face a stern test on the Premier League’s opening weekend, traveling to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa—a side that finished just one spot below Newcastle last season and narrowly missed out on Champions League football. With Villa missing goalkeeper Emi Martinez due to suspension, both sets of fans will be eager to see how their teams’ new signings fare under competitive pressure. For Newcastle supporters, all eyes will be on Elanga, who is widely expected to start and potentially make his Premier League debut for the club.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Newcastle’s ambitions are clear: a return to European competition and a sustained push up the table. But with their forward line in transition and the midfield still finding its rhythm, much will depend on how quickly Elanga can settle and deliver on his considerable promise. Howe’s words have set expectations high, and the early evidence suggests the Swede is more than up for the challenge.
As for the Sela Cup defeat, it’s a result that will sting but not define the pre-season. The match featured not just Elanga, but a host of Newcastle and Atletico stars—Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton, Harrison Ashby, Javi Galan, David Hancko, and Julian Alvarez all featured in a contest that was as much about preparation as it was about pride. The images of Elanga streaking down the right flank, ball at his feet and defenders in his wake, will linger in the minds of Newcastle fans as they dream of what’s to come.
Transfer rumors continue to swirl, with supporters hoping for further reinforcements before the window slams shut. Yet, whatever happens in the market, Elanga’s impact is already being felt. He may have been overlooked amid the summer’s bigger sagas, but his home debut has put him firmly in the spotlight. As Howe put it, "I think then we’ll see a real player that can make a difference and frighten the opposition." Who could argue after Saturday’s display?
With the Premier League campaign just days away, Newcastle United’s faithful have every reason to be excited. The tactical lessons of pre-season, the promise of new signings, and the sheer thrill of seeing Elanga in full flight have set the stage for what could be a memorable year on Tyneside. The story is only just beginning.
