After several summers of limited transfer activity, Newcastle United’s latest window was one of ambition and intent.
Six players arrived – Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga – as Eddie Howe sought to add depth to a squad competing on both domestic and European fronts.
For a team balancing the Premier League and the Champions League, rotation is key.
Injuries to Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have already underlined the need for options across the pitch, particularly in wide areas.
With fierce competition for places alongside new striker Woltemade, Newcastle’s attacking balance has been under scrutiny.
Before their 4–0 demolition of Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise, Newcastle’s expected goals tally was among the lowest in the Premier League.
Their attacking play often lacked cohesion, with promising build-up undone by wastefulness in the final third.
However, recent performances suggest Howe’s side are beginning to find rhythm.
The convincing victory in Europe was followed by a much-improved display against Nottingham Forest, in which Newcastle generated 3.45 expected goals – a sharp contrast to their earlier struggles.
The hope now is that the Magpies can build on these encouraging signs, putting an end to the inconsistency that has plagued their forward line throughout the campaign.
And as fans look for stability, it’s hard not to think back to one of the most unpredictable – yet beloved – figures of Newcastle’s recent past.
Saint-Maximin – the symbol of Newcastle’s inconsistency
Allan Saint-Maximin arrived at St James’ Park in 2019 from Nice for a fee of up to £20m, instantly becoming one of the Premier League’s most entertaining dribblers.
Over four seasons, he made 124 appearances, scoring 13 goals and producing countless moments of brilliance.
The Frenchman’s close control, flair and fearlessness in one-on-one situations made him the heartbeat of Steve Bruce’s Newcastle.
In a side often fighting relegation, Saint-Maximin was their escape valve – famously scoring twice away at Burnley to lift the Magpies six points clear of the drop zone.
He could enthral a crowd with a single run, his trademark headband and unpredictable movement making him impossible to ignore.
But just as he could dazzle, he could frustrate.
Injuries repeatedly halted his momentum – 46 matches missed through various setbacks – while his reluctance to track back limited his use in Howe’s high-intensity system.
As the team evolved into a pressing unit built on discipline and structure, the flamboyant Frenchman began to look like a relic of another era.
In 2023, Saint-Maximin left for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
The fee, undisclosed but rumoured to be significant, sparked questions about Newcastle’s compliance with financial regulations, particularly given the Saudi ownership connection.
Al-Ahli also brought in Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy that same summer, symbolising a broader exodus of Premier League talent to the Gulf.
Saint-Maximin remains adored by the fanbase, but his story is a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough in Howe’s Newcastle.
The team now values consistency, adaptability and tactical reliability as much as individual brilliance – lessons that feel especially relevant as they watch another gifted winger trying to find his rhythm on Tyneside.
Howe's new Saint-Maximin at Newcastle
At 23 years old, Anthony Elanga represents Newcastle’s next big hope on the flanks.
The Swedish international, who came through Manchester United’s academy between 2015 and 2021, joined from Nottingham Forest this summer in a deal worth £55m.
It was a statement signing – one that underlined Howe’s commitment to pace, directness and youth in attack.
Elanga’s raw “frightening” ability – as per journalist Laurie Whitwell – is unquestionable.
During his time at Forest, he registered 11 goals and 21 assists in 82 appearances, including an impressive 11 assists last season.
Matches Played
38
Goals
6
Assists
11
Progressive Carries
102
Progressive Passes
63
His acceleration, intelligent movement and ability to stretch defences make him a natural fit for Howe’s high-tempo system. Yet, much like Saint-Maximin before him, Elanga’s biggest challenge is consistency.
After a mixed start to life at St James’ Park, he silenced critics with a scintillating display in the 4–0 Champions League win over Union Saint-Gilloise.
Playing off the right, Elanga tormented defenders throughout, winning a penalty and earning the Man of the Match award.
His work rate matched his flair – he covered 7.8 kilometres, made 13 sprints, and recorded 54 touches with 30 passes (25 accurate), as per Sofascore. He also created one big chance, underlining his growing influence in the final third.
However, just as momentum seemed to build, Elanga’s form dipped again.
Against Nottingham Forest, he struggled to impose himself, cutting a frustrated figure as Newcastle’s attack once more lacked fluency.
It was a performance that reignited questions about whether he can deliver consistently at the elite level – questions that Saint-Maximin faced throughout his stay on Tyneside.
Howe has publicly defended his new signing, emphasising patience and adaptation.
It’s a familiar story for Newcastle fans: a player of immense potential, capable of brilliance one week and anonymity the next.
But if Elanga can channel his explosive talent into reliable performances, he could become the wide player Newcastle have long been searching for.
With the club pushing for another top-four finish and European progress, that balance between chaos and control might just define Newcastle’s season.
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