Eddie Howe has confirmed that William Osula could be forcing his way into the Newcastle United starting lineup.
Osula scored twice during Newcastle United’s win over Bradford City in the Carabao Cup and is now rather ironically the club’s top scorer this season (3).
Indeed, Newcastle fans were impressed with Osula, who almost left the club this summer.
The Danish U21 international was close to moving to Eintracht Frankfurt on deadline day until the deal eventually fell through.
However, with Yoane Wissa injured, the 22-year-old certainly took his chance when called upon when Nick Woltemade was rested from the start against The Bantams.
Howe, understandably, was pleased.
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Eddie Howe praises William Osula
The Newcastle United manager was speaking after the game.
He was impressed with the former Sheffield United youngster both because of his goals and his performance when he drifted out wide after Anthony Elanga was replaced.
Howe also spoke of his delight of Osula’s hold-up play and suggested he did his chances of starting in the Premier League “no harm.”
“It was a slightly turbulent end to the transfer window for Will,” he said (via Craig Hope on X).
“Slowly but surely he is improving his game. It wasn’t just his goals tonight, it was his hold-up play, his wing play. He’s done his chances no harm.”
Newcastle play Arsenal on Sunday and Wissa is not expected back until October.
How much did Newcastle United pay for William Osula?
Osula cost Newcastle around £10million in 2024, which could one day look like a bargain.
The potential Frankfurt deal would have seen the club make a rather large profit on him, which would have been helpful in a world dominated by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Still, on this kind of evidence, Newcastle may be reluctant to sell him. If Osula can build on this and offer Woltemade and Wissa some genuine competition in the coming weeks and months, the money they paid for him may eventually prove to be a steal.
Tougher tests will come but this was certainly something on which to build.
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