Will Osula is struggling to get in the Newcastle United team.
The 21-year-old has not featured much since his £10million arrival from Sheffield United, with Will Osula only starting in the cup against AFC Wimbledon and Bromley.
Newcastle are happy with Osula’s progress, and the potential is certainly there. He has shown flashes of what he could become, while Osula’s first Newcastle goal was outstanding.
But he is not ready to lead the line in the Premier League, while the other issue is that he is competing with the most in-form striker around. There is no way he is ever going to play ahead of Alexander Isak.
Eddie Howe addresses Will Osula’s current situation at Newcastle United
Some fans have suggested that Osula should be loaned out to further his development, but Eddie Howe disagrees.
The Newcastle United manager thinks Osula will benefit more from training on Tyneside, while he has also hinted that the youngster could be deployed in a different position.
“I see that balance very firmly that he needs to be here with us,” he during his pre-match press conference.
“He needs the training with us. He needs the understanding. He needs the development that we’re trying to give him.
“Will is a multi-talented player. I don’t see him just being a pure number nine. He has played wide before so that is an option that we could look at.
“I think he’s doing well. He’s on track. He is developing. Looking at him as a striker, he’s competing with Alex [Isak] for a place, which isn’t something you necessarily want to be doing at the minute with Alex’s form.
“I said this to Will when he joined. He’s learning off two of the best strikers that he could possibly work with currently and he needs to absorb as much information from both Alex and Callum [Wilson]. Two great role models for him to help him in his development.
“He’s very much here at the moment. Beyond this season, we’ll try to take the next steps that benefit Will and us.”
Newcastle United are short of options out wide
Following Miguel Almiron’s move to Atlanta United, Newcastle United are short of players who can operate out wide.
At senior level, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy are Howe’s only fit options. Joelinton can play there but is needed centrally, while Harvey Barnes is injured. At youth level, Newcastle have Trevan Sanusi, but it would be a big ask for the 17-year-old to step up.
Therefore, using Osula out there could be a good option. It gives him more opportunities to play in the Premier League, while it also gives Newcastle more depth in a position where they desperately need it.
However, Howe certainly will not just thrust Osula into that position. There might be the odd cameo there in a game where Newcastle are in control, but that could be as good as it gets.
Regardless, Howe loves players who are versatile, and the fact that Osula could be just that will make him even more valuable.
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