'Real integrity' - Eddie Howe sticks up for Anthony Elanga after hearing Newcastle United groans
Newcastle United signed Anthony Elanga for £55million but the winger has struggled to perform.
Eddie Howe has praised Anthony Elanga for the way he has handled a difficult debut season at Newcastle United.
Elanga was the first new signing through the door last summer after joining from Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest but has struggled to live up to his £55million price tag.
A brace in Barcelona aside, the Sweden international has registered just one goal and one assist, while last Saturday, during the 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth, groans from the St James' Park crowd were there for all to hear after he failed to complete a simple pass.
‘Real integrity’ - Eddie Howe praises Anthony Elanga
The 23-year-old will be aware of the criticism and Howe has praised his summer recruit for handling it with “real integrity”.
“I think Ant's handled everything that he's faced this season with real integrity,” Howe said. “He's a brilliant professional. He's someone who really works hard at his game. He's very level-headed. We don't see too many extreme outbursts of emotion from Ant through the season.
“I think he will continue, in my opinion, to improve, to get better. I think he's got so much potential. We really believe in him. He's got outstanding qualities. Hopefully, he can finish the season strongly.”
Eddie Howe backs his Newcastle United summer signings to come good
Elanga was part of a £250million spending spree by Newcastle last summer and isn’t the only summer signing to come under scrutiny.
Howe has also been quizzed about his £119million striker duo Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade with both players named on the bench in the previous two matches.
“I think they're both outstanding players,” Howe said. “I don't in any way doubt their individual qualities. I think they'll both be better for this season's experience next season.
“I always think any signing that we make, regardless of age, a season where they fully understand everything, they get used to the environment, they get used to their teammates, the location that they're living in. It's a big change for the players.
“Next season, I think we'll see all the new signings that we integrated this season I think will be much better for the experience and of course then the intense focus shifts onto someone else we may have signed in the summer and I think that's a healthy thing for them as well because you just go slightly more relaxed and I think when you're more relaxed you play better so I believe in all those signings I think they'll come good.”