Anthony Elanga labels Newcastle team-mate Alexander Isak as one of world's best
Liverpool were one of those said to be interested in securing the striker's services, but it is understood Newcastle value him at around £150million in a bid to fend off potential suitors.
Although Isak has been surrounded by intense speculation, newcomer Elanga has so far enjoyed working with his international colleague.
'A player of Alex's stature there's always going to be noise around him,' Elanga said.
'For me, he's one of the best players in the world, one of the best attackers in the world. I've played with him at international level so I can say so.
'There's always going to be noise, but at the end of the day he's a Newcastle player right now. I'm just trying to focus on what he's doing in training, showing his qualities and speaking to him every day.
'Whenever I speak to Alex it's always about good things – how my family is, how his family is and that's the first thing he asked me – how my family is – because he sees them all the time when he comes with the national team.
'I always try and focus on the present and the now. Alex being the player he is, one of the best attackers in the world, I think there's always going to be noise around him, but he's the type of player who is always staying focused.
Anthony Elanga. Newcastle United player. 😁 pic.twitter.com/6ywwQUyHvU
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 11, 2025
'What he's shown in training is second to none. I'm looking forward to continuing training with him.
'Not just him, but Anthony Gordon who I'm also close with. He's helped me a lot settling in – he came from a different city as well. It's been amazing so far.'
Elanga arrives for a reported fee that could eventually amount to £55million and has been thrown straight into action, joining this week's training camp in Austria ahead of pre-season starting on Saturday with a clash against Celtic.
Newcastle are aiming to build on last year's stellar campaign which saw them secure their first major domestic silverware in 70 years by winning the Carabao Cup in March, as well as securing a Champions League spot.
Elanga is ready to make his impact, suggesting 'anything is possible' this season.
Asked how far Newcastle are from challenging for a Premier League title, he replied: 'We just take it game by game, focusing on each day that comes to you, wanting to improve, wanting to learn, wanting to take in information that the gaffer says. Anything is possible.
'The players we have, the coaching staff and adding Martin (Mark) from Midtjylland as set-piece coach. Those little one per cents are only going to make us improve even more.
'We're really on the right track. Having been involved in the sessions this week, I can really sense that feeling of we really want to grab something and win something this year.
'We take it game by game, focus on every session. Anything is possible really.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
New Man Utd signing Bryan Mbeumo idolised Cristiano Ronaldo before ex-Chelsea icon
Bryan Mbeumo has completed his £71million switch from Brentford to Manchester United and is keen to make a similar impact at Old Trafford as his hero growing up Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United's new signing Bryan Mbeumo already has his sights set on emulating his boyhood hero Cristiano Ronaldo. Mbeumo, who has joined United from Brentford in a deal worth up to £71million, revealed the first football shirt he owned growing up was Ronaldo's iconic No.7. The Cameroon star, who plays out wide like Ronaldo but can also operate centrally, was just four when his idol joined United for the first of two spells in 2003. In that six-year spell, Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 appearances, before returning for an ill-fated second stint at United, which ended in acrimony after a season-and-a-half. Mbeumo, who scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford last season, modelled himself on Ronaldo and said he dreams of matching the exploits of his hero now he is a United player himself. 'My first top was one with Ronaldo behind [on the back],' said Mbeumo, when asked to name his favourite player. 'It changed the time. When I was really young, the two best footballers were Ronaldo and Messi. When I was growing up, Neymar. After that, it was Eden Hazard. 'My dream was to become a football player and play for one of the biggest teams in the world. But when you're actually doing it, it's completely different.' On the pitch, Mbeumo is an uncompromising, fearless and physical attacker, who shows no mercy to opponents in his relentless quest for goals and assists. Off it, however, he is a completely different character, with the piano and chess his chief hobbies away from the pressure of playing football at the highest level. Asked if he was quiet or loud, Mbeumo said: 'A little mix of the two. I'm quite quiet when I don't know people. But when I know everyone I make jokes and have banter. I like piano and chess. I'm just a normal guy. I discovered the piano a few years ago, when a friend was playing and I wanted to try. 'With chess, I played a little bit when I was younger. Two or three years ago, I started playing and I enjoyed it, so I play online. I have a board at home but I have no-one to play with.' Part of the initiation ritual for new signings at United is to perform a song in front of the squad, with Mbeumo hinting he could go one stage further. 'Maybe I can play the piano and sing!' he said. 'I know I'm a calmed and chilled guy out of the pitch, but on it I change completely. I'm really determined and focused. 'It comes from my parents. They gave me my values. Also, all the coaches I've worked with gave me a lot of advice. It's like a family and all the things you face in your personal life helps build your mentality and character. 'I grew up in a small town, where everyone knew each other and I have a lot of memories from the stadium of my first team. I try to go back there at least once a year to see my old manager and the little kids, who have a dream as well, like I had. It's really good for them to see someone who is here now. They can see that they can do it and that's important for me.' Piano-loving Mbeumo will hope to hit the right notes for United and help spark their revival after they ended last season in 15th place, their worst finish of the Premier League era.
Glasgow Times
35 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Rangers fans gather at Glasgow's Ibrox ahead of Panathinaikos clash
The Greek side take on Rangers in the second Champions League qualifying round first leg tie this evening before the return fixture next Wednesday. The match, which kicked off at 7.45pm, will be Russell Martin's first competitive game in charge. READ NEXT: Panathinaikos supporters party outside Glasgow Irish bar before Rangers clash (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) Panathinaikos supporters were spotted earlier today partying on the street outside Connolly's Irish Bar on Bell Street in the city centre. Our photographer headed down to Ibrox to picture Rangers fans ahead of the match. Can you spot yourself in the pictures below? (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)
Scottish Sun
37 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I can't call the police to drag him here' – Daniel Farke fumes as £10million-rated Mateo Joseph asks to leave Leeds
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEEDS manager Daniel Farke joked he "can't drag" Mateo Joseph to the training pitch as he confirmed the forward wants to leave the club. Last week, Sun Sport exclusively revealed Leeds want £10million for their forward in a new bid to land Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Joseph is absent from pre-season Credit: Reuters 3 He's being linked to the clubs in his home country Spain Credit: Getty 3 Farke has now explained his absence Credit: Getty Now, former England international Emile Heskey's cousin Joseph has chosen not to join Leeds' pre-season training camp in Germany. Farke has revealed he accepts the decision, but he had wanted him to be part of the training camp. Speaking after Tuesday's 4-1 win over SC Verl, the Leeds boss said: 'I've spoken openly and honestly with him about the situation and have strongly recommended, until the situation is sorted, he should do the job and be professional. "He said he's not in the mental state to do this. What should I do? I can't call the police to drag him here on the training pitch. "It was his decision. For that, he trains at the moment in England, individually, and will then also train with under-21s at Thorp Arch.' LaLiga sides Celta Vigo and Real Betis are in the mix for Joseph's signature. The latter had a £10million bid rejected in January. Farke touched on this on Tuesday, adding: "He came to me, and to us, and said he wants a new challenge and would like to have a move. "He has also hinted he prefers a move to Spain due to his Spanish roots and, yes, that was more or less his call. 'We just want players who are excited about the project to play with Leeds United in the best league in the world, here in the Premier League, who want to be here with us and want to be successful with us. 'If this is your wish, I, as a manager, won't stand in the way and [I] accept this because I just want players who want to be here and are buzzing. I've said, 'Okay, Mateo, I accept this, I won't stand in the way'. 'On the other hand, it's also clear we, as a club, have invested a lot in him. "Time, money, backing and he is on the long-term contract and we value him. One thing is also for sure, we will just make a move possible once there is a club who meets the expectations of the club.' The 21-year-old Spain Under-21 striker made 39 league appearances last season, scoring three Championship goals and earning 11 starts. Leeds have been strongly linked with Fulham's Brazilian hitman, Muniz, and even though the player is open to a move, they must meet Fulham's £50million asking price. Meanwhile, fellow Leeds attacker Patrick Bamford has been told he is surplus to requirements ahead of the club's return to the Premier League.
