Kieran Trippier mocks Anthony Elanga at Newcastle – ‘Your football ability…’
Anthony Elanga was the subject of Kieran Trippier’s joke after Newcastle United jetted out to Singapore for their pre-season tour.
The Sweden international arrived from Nottingham Forest on a £55million deal [BBC Sport], having impressed during his two seasons at the City Ground, where he notched 11 goals and 21 assists.
He is the Magpies’ only addition to the squad thus far, having missed out on the likes of Joao Pedro, Jarell Quansah, and Hugo Ekitike, and are increasingly likely to miss out on Marc Guehi to Liverpool, Football Insider understands.
Eddie Howe will have been desperate to develop the squad after securing Champions League football, but that appears not to be the case, especially with Alexander Isak eyeing up the exit doors.
Supporters will be interested to see how Elanga beds into the squad, however, and given Trippier’s latest social media update, he is quickly making friends at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United stars enjoying pre-season tour of Singapore
Taking to Instagram stories (25 July), Trippier shared a video of the Newcastle stars playing a game of pool on pre-season, captioned: “Elanga, I hope your football ability is better than your pool”.
The message was followed by laughing and eight-ball emojis, with the right-back waiting to see the £55m winger take charge of the right flank at St James’ Park.
Magpies expecting further additions after Anthony Elanga
Football Insider verdict
The move for Elanga has been greeted with a positive reaction from supporters, but other than his arrival, it has been quite a negative summer transfer window for the Magpies.
With Isak exploring his options ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and Anfield being his likeliest destination, a new striker is integral if Howe is to achieve further success in the North East.
Thanks to the former Bournemouth figure, Newcastle ended a 70-year trophy drought at Wembley Stadium, pipping Arne Slot‘s side to the Carabao Cup in normal time.
A move for Benjamin Sesko could also be stopped by Chelsea‘s transfer plans, while Man City have hijacked the club’s move for goalkeeper James Trafford for just £27million this summer.
The setbacks continue to emerge for Howe, who is just being handed failure on top of failure, and the board should be to blame for not splashing the cash initially, allowing other clubs to jump ahead.
With Premier League and Champions League ambitions for next season, the manager’s job is only becoming more and more difficult with each passing transfer.