Anthony Elanga

[TaylorJ_01]

Bringing on Elanga late seems to achieve the opposite every time. He is chaotic and loses the ball almost instantly, where he should be carrying it forward and letting us move up the pitch.

[Hanshithispantz]

The whole system seems like that, in theory we'd zip the ball up the pitch quickly and have space in behind, either on the counter, or through movement around the box like Miggy used to take advantage of. I was all for it but it hasn't worked yet.

 

Instead we just look like we really need a technical winger 

 

Tottenham were shite but they were firing it at Kudus and he was taking it every time.

 

 

Edited December 3, 2025 by Hanshithispantz

[Nine]

I think Wissa and Elanga will complement each other massively 

[Wullie]

The thing that really puzzles me about Elanga's signing is that he's right footed. The main aspect of the 4-3-3 with wide forwards is that the wide players cut in to provide an attacking threat which is why, generally speaking, they are always inverted now. Jacob Murphy is the only example I can think of in the modern Premier League of a wide player in a 4-3-3 not being inverted and we've had a lot of success with that, possibly because it's something different but I really can't get my head round signing another right footer to complement the three we already had.

 

I know there was a lot of talk in the summer of Elanga being genuinely two footed, I have to say I've seen no evidence of that whatsoever. I really feel like we've hamstrung ourselves by again not having anyone on the right hand side who is going to cut in and shoot with their left foot in the way that this formation is supposed to operate. It makes us very one dimensional down that side as the full back only ever has to worry about someone going down the outside, whereas on our left, Barnes and Gordon will go inside and Hall outside.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

25 minutes ago, Hanshithispantz said:

Tottenham were shite but they were firing it at Kudus and he was taking it every time.

 

He's probably one of the most technically gifted players in the league TBF, and he's also fairly physical when he wants to be. 

[The College Dropout]

1 minute ago, Wullie said:

The thing that really puzzles me about Elanga's signing is that he's right footed. The main aspect of the 4-3-3 with wide forwards is that the wide players cut in to provide an attacking threat which is why, generally speaking, they are always inverted now. Jacob Murphy is the only example I can think of in the modern Premier League of a wide player in a 4-3-3 not being inverted and we've had a lot of success with that, possibly because it's something different but I really can't get my head round signing another right footer to complement the three we already had.

 

I know there was a lot of talk in the summer of Elanga being genuinely two footed, I have to say I've seen no evidence of that whatsoever. I really feel like we've hamstrung ourselves by again not having anyone on the right hand side who is going to cut in and shoot with their left foot in the way that this formation is supposed to operate.

One thing that’s consistent between this team and the Howe Bournemouth team is that the system is built to maximise the goals from the striker. So having someone that will look for the striker early from the right with passes and crosses is fine. If Elanga was a massive success you would expect we move the 30 year old Murphy in the summer and bring in a different type. But for now we’ve doubled down on the same plan but meant to be better. 
 

My problem with Elanga is his technique and basic footballing ability is no better than Murphy.  It’s barely premier league level. He’s fully reliant on that pace and 2 footed deliveries and finishes and we need a lot more than that 

[TheInfiniteOdyssey]

Kudus’ close control on the byline to keep possession / dribble past a player was a massive difference last night. 

[Sibierski]

I long for the day we have someone who can get us off our seats when they have the ball. All our wingers don’t for me. Barnes / Gordon good in their own right, but not a ‘got ball 40 yards out, could jinx past 3 players and get a shot away’ type, Murphy is just pure crossing and Elanga is … so far. 

[Sibierski]

Even Sylvain Marvauex was more exciting.

[alexf]

Yeah Kudus or Madueke were the players I wanted for right wing last summer and the ended up going for the same cost as we paid for Elanga if not less. 

 

Felt at the time that he was just quick and occasionally put in the odd decent cross or shot but wasn't technical enough to take us forward.

 

So far he's been worse than I expected but the Everton game showed he can have some form of impact. But it's been slim pickings so far. 

[Nine]

16 minutes ago, Sibierski said:

I long for the day we have someone who can get us off our seats when they have the ball. All our wingers don’t for me. Barnes / Gordon good in their own right, but not a ‘got ball 40 yards out, could jinx past 3 players and get a shot away’ type, Murphy is just pure crossing and Elanga is … so far. 

You’ll be waiting for a new manager as well then, because Howe won’t sign a winger of that ilk.

System fitting wingers who can feed a good striker above all, last season Murphy was god on here. 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2025 by Nine

[gbandit]

46 minutes ago, Sibierski said:

Even Sylvain Marvauex was more exciting.

Marveaux was a very good player, poor lad had the misfortune to be managed by one of the worst people the football world has known 

[El Prontonise]

1 minute ago, gbandit said:

Marveaux was a very good player, poor lad had the misfortune to be managed by one of the worst people the football world has known 

 

[Ronaldo]

27 minutes ago, gbandit said:

Marveaux was a very good player, poor lad had the misfortune to be managed by one of the worst people the football world has known 

Had a brilliant career at Guingamp and Charlotte Independence after us. What a waste.

[gbandit]

14 minutes ago, Ronaldo said:

Had a brilliant career at Guingamp and Charlotte Independence after us. What a waste.

Not saying he’d have been amazing with us in the right hands, perhaps he didn’t want it enough or have the physicality / athleticism, but his technical ability was really good 

[Dokko]

 

Might as well took a punt with some players in Europe. This is what a lot were saying here before he signed; actually, for a lot of our players. All our duds (Elanga, Ramsdale, Ramsey & Wissa) this season have come from the league, yes some are circumstantial (injury), but the amount of money for paying PL premium is a joke, especially when we cannot misstep due to FFP. Can't believe Palace got Pino for £26m. Much rather we took that punt, still get near enough that if he doesn't adapt to the PL. Save the difference from the Elanga transfer and not buy Ramsey, and bring Anderson back.

 

Whoever is in charge of our transfers (god knows, the amount of changes and whispers on final say) has let the club down, and can't seem to find anyone beyond Match of the Day. 

[GEFAFWISP]

It's imperative this guy stops using his left foot, it's not big, it's not clever and he looks like a nonce doing it.

[Ronson333]

Let’s be honest, this isn’t going to work 

[Dokko]

Just now, Ronson333 said:

Let’s be honest, this isn’t going to work 

 

Sounds like he's getting involved?

[Andy84]

Green shoots 

[Casey]

Just now, Ronson333 said:

Let’s be honest, this isn’t going to work 

[timeEd32]

I think he’s past the rock bottom period. He just desperately needs a goal for his confidence and then I think we will see an increasingly better player.

[ExiledGeordie]

13 minutes ago, Ronson333 said:

Let’s be honest, this isn’t going to work 

😂 

[La Parka]

Anthony Enigma. 

[toon25]

Thought he was ok, personally. He's building here

 

 

Edited December 6, 2025 by toon25