Matthias Jaissle breaks silence on divisive Newcastle United transfer decision as Nottingham Forest miss out
Newcastle United team news: Matthias Jaissle has discussed his options on the right wing in Anthony Elanga’s absence.
Matthias Jaissle explained his decision to keep hold of Jacob Murphy at Newcastle United despite the player being subject to a £15million bid from Nottingham Forest and into the final year of his contract.
Murphy is Newcastle’s longest-serving player, having first signed for the club from Norwich City in 2017. The 31-year-old established himself as an important part of Eddie Howe’s squad in recent seasons, particularly the 2024/25 Carabao Cup-winning and Champions League qualification season, which saw him register nine goals and 14 assists in all competitions.
While Anthony Elanga started the new season on the right wing for Newcastle, Murphy has still featured in all six matches under Jaissle so far, either as a starter or coming off the bench. And now with Elanga ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Newcastle will turn to Murphy - who has already made a positive impression on his new head coach.
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Anthony Elanga injury ‘really sad’
“It's really sad,” Jaissle said on Elanga’s injury. “After that great start he had, the team had, we counted on him definitely in the way we want to play. He's a key strength in our squad. But we want to stay positive also when he's out.
“Unfortunately, then we need to solve it differently. We have the ability in the squad also to adjust things. We believe in our players. We count on the others, and that's always a chance also for the others.”
On his right-wing options, Jaissle quickly namechecked Murphy.
“I have some thoughts on that. But Jacob Murphy was doing good. He is an experienced player, he's played that role many, many times.
“So he's also intelligent, to know exactly what the gaffer is demanding from him, and from him on that position in particular. There are other options, but not too many at the moment.”
Why Matthias Jaissle wanted to keep Jacob Murphy
When pushed on why he wanted to keep hold of Murphy despite an offer being on the table for him, Jaissle told The Gazette: “You saw that already, that he gets the minutes.
“Even if Anthony was fit. So he's a really important player for our squad, not only on the pitch, also off the pitch.
“A leader who also communicates well and knows what it means to be professional. So I really appreciate him.
“On the pitch, I said that before already, that he's so smart, so game intelligent. He knows exactly his strength and he knows how to deliver within our identity, how we want to play football.”
The decision to keep Murphy has divided opinion among the Newcastle fanbase given he is a 31-year-old into the last year of his contract and the need for the club to maximise revenue. But the offer from Forest ultimately came too late in the transfer window to find a replacement.
Despite Jaissle’s glowing endorsement, Murphy is the only winger yet to contribute a goal or an assist for Newcastle so far this season. But with no other natural senior options on the right wing, the justification to keep hold of him is clear.