Newcastle United making a mistake signing Anthony Elanga – Don Hutchison | OneFootball

Don Hutchison has been talking about Newcastle United and the transfer market.

Specifically Anthony Elanga.

The former Sunderland and Liverpool player believing that Newcastle United are making a mistake signing the Nottingham Forest winger.

Hutchison claiming that Newcastle United should be doing everything they can to sign Bryan Mbeumo, rather than Anthony Elanga.

The former Sunderland player giving three reasons why Mbeumo would be a better signing for NUFC than Elanga…

Don Hutchison asked the question by BestBettingSites; ‘Would you want Anthony Elanga or Bryan Mbeumo?’

“I mean as a Newcastle fan, I think Mbeumo would be a better signing than Elanga. Because he can play on the right side, but he can also play through the middle. He can step in if Alexander Isak gets injured.

“If I was Eddie Howe, Mbeumo would be one of the first I’d want through the door. By signing him, you’re harming Manchester United, you’re taking a brilliant player away from Brentford, and you make your squad better too. There’s three ways to win by signing him, even though I do think he’ll still go to Manchester United. He’ll be a brilliant signing.”

Well, I think the first thing to mention, is that Manchester United appear to be doing a pretty good job of harming themselves, without needing any help on that front from NUFC! Don Hutchison totally ignoring the fact as well that Man U only avoided finishing fourth bottom on the final day of last season, whilst Elanga and Forest would have finished above Newcastle on the final day if they’d won at home against Chelsea. So on balance, I think harming Forest ahead of next season is preferential to harming Man U, when talking about competition for the 2025/26 season.

The other Hutchison reasons also apply to Anthony Elanga, as he of course plays on the right and can also play through the middle.

The fact is that Anthony Elanga far more fits the Eddie Howe and Newcastle United profile than Bryan Mbeumo. Elanga is three years younger than Mbeumo, the Forest winger’s transfer fee and wages less as well.

I just think they are both very good players and I’d have been happy signing either. However, apart from the fact Mbeumo seemingly only wants to join Man U for whatever reason, I don’t think Newcastle United ever made any serious moves to buy the Brentford player either. Whereas Newcastle put their first bid in for Anthony Elanga 11 months ago and clearly is a long-time Eddie Howe target.

Don Hutchison also asked; ‘Would you take Marcus Rashford at Newcastle?’

“Probably not, because Anthony Gordon’s a better player than Marcus Rashford is.

“The thing Newcastle would need is to convince Rashford to play on the right but he’s done that, what, half a dozen times. I know he can play it but he’s not at his best there, nor is he a No. 9.

“He’s best as a wide left player so it’s tough for him to break into the Newcastle side.