Exceptional Elanga draws praise from much-loved Newcastle United 'Entertainer'
Anthony Elanga made it two goals in as many games by finding the net in Newcastle United’s 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Former Newcastle United striker Les Ferdinand believes Anthony Elanga is finally showing why the Magpies were willing to pay big money to secure his signature last summer.
The former Manchester United winger became a real force in the Premier League during an impressive spell at Nottingham Forest as he scored 11 goals and provided 21 assists in 82 appearances in all competitions during a two-year stay at the City Ground.
His performances persuaded Newcastle to part with £55m to make Elanga one of the most expensive signings in their history last summer - but the Sweden international struggled to impress throughout his first season on Tyneside as he scored just three goals and provided two assists in 49 appearances in all competitions. There were some positives during the campaign as the 24-year-old netted a double in a Champions League round of 16 defeat against La Liga giants Barcelona and in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg loss at Manchester City.
However, the winger could not have wished for a better start to the new campaign as he scored within the opening ten minutes of last weekend’s season opening draw with Liverpool before doubling his tally with a neat turn and finish in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur as two of Ferdinand’s former clubs went head-to-head in North London.
The former Magpies striker praised Elanga for an impressive start to the season and he believes the winger is now starting to show the sort of form that meant his old club were happy to pay big to land his signature just over 12 months ago.
He told Premier League Productions: “The touch here and the swivel and finish is exceptional. I know Wissa played well last week - but I thought Elanga played well last week as well. He has put in another performance today and he got a goal. He got a goal again and he’s on a bit of a run. He’s feeling the confidence and he’s showing why Newcastle paid the money to bring him to GeordieLand because he’s enjoying himself. That’s a nice little dance as well. We didn’t have that in our locker.”
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