Anthony Elanga can become a top Premier League player for Newcastle United under Matthias Jaissle, according to former Sweden winger Anders Limpar, who has also backed a move for international team-mate Benjamin Nygren.
Elanga's Potential
Elanga impressed for Sweden at the World Cup and has shown early signs in pre-season that he is ready to improve after a disappointing first season at Newcastle. The winger joined from Nottingham Forest in a £55m deal last summer but struggled to establish himself under Eddie Howe.
Limpar, who played for Arsenal and Everton, has urged Elanga to slow down his game to use the ball more effectively. "I know that Anthony Elanga has had personal chats with Graham Potter and he looked really good at the World Cup," Limpar told SveaCasino. "He’s a player who has to improve his touch when he’s passing and receiving the ball, and if he can just improve that a notch then he will be a top player because he is already so quick."
"Maybe he does everything too quick at the moment because the technique isn’t there, and you need technique before speed. My advice to him is that he should work on his passing and receiving and then wait for moments that he can use his speed like at the World Cup. Nobody could catch him. He is lightning fast."
Limpar added: "I really hope for his sake that he will be a starter again under the new manager and show that he is better than what we saw last season because he hasn't been good enough for Newcastle but he is a better player than he has shown."
Nygren for Newcastle?
Newcastle are in the market for creative players following Bruno Guimaraes' £75m move to Arsenal. Limpar feels Celtic's Benjamin Nygren would be a perfect fit. The Swedish attacking midfielder scored in both of Celtic's opening Scottish Premiership games this month, adding to his 21 goals for Martin O'Neill's side last term.
"I like Benjamin Nygren a lot," Limpar said. "He only played a couple of games for Sweden at the World Cup but he would be a very good player in a Premier League side after what he’s shown at Celtic. He can make that step now."
"The Scottish Premiership is very tough and he has proven he can handle it. It’s probably even tougher than the Premier League when it comes to the tackles. It would be good for Sweden too if somebody had a go at signing him this summer. Maybe Aston Villa or Newcastle United? I think if Jack Grealish doesn’t come back to Everton, Benjamin would be a good replacement for him as well. He can score goals and create goals too. I think he would score 15 goals in the Premier League playing for a club like Everton."
