What Newcastle United have already accepted internally about Will Osula

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United were looking towards the future when they signed Will Osula.

The 21-year-old arrived from Sheffield United in the summer, with Newcastle United paying £10million for the Danish youngster.

It was not a massive outlay, but it was a fair bit of money for a player who failed to score a Premier League goal for Sheffield United last season. But the Magpies have signed Will Osula for his potential, believing he is a player who can develop into a consistent scorer in the top flight.

He is yet to score his first goal for the club, having only made two appearances so far. He got his first start on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup win over Wimbledon, and Newcastle fans were happy with what they saw from Osula.

The forward showcased his speed and power, while he had a real willingness to press from the front.

But that first Newcastle United goal alluded him, as Osula passed up a couple of chances to open his account in black and white.

Newcastle United need to make Will Osula into a goalscorer

It might take a while for Osula to score his first Newcastle United goal, as minutes are likely to be limited. He has only made two appearances so far, and he will be used even more sparingly when both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson are fit.

But that should not concern Osula too much. He knows he has been brought in as a project player, while Osula already thinks he has improved since joining Newcastle.

However, the Athletic’s Chris Waugh has said on the Pod On The Tyne podcast that people inside Newcastle United are well aware that the most important area that Osula needs to work on is his end product.

“Newcastle’s recruitment department, when they’ve watched him, like so much of what he can do,” he said.

“But I think there is an acceptance internally that perhaps there is a slight calculated gamble, in the sense that end product is not something he has ever really had in his game.

“He was in a struggling Sheffield United side that were cut adrift in the Premier League last season. When people talk about him not scoring for them last year, I think that’s a slight misnomer, because it was a side that no one played well in.

“Equally, in general his goal output has not quite been there and that is something that Newcastle really are trying to work on and have to work on.”

Osula’s goal record before joining Newcastle United

During his professional career, Osula has a record of eight goals in 54 appearances.

Interestingly, six of Osula’s goals have come in the FA Cup. In the league, Osula only has two goals to his name. They came during a loan spell with Derby County during the 2022/23 season when they were competing in League One.

Goals have never really flowed for the youngster, and that is why Newcastle know they need to improve that side of his game.

In that respect, it is understandable why Newcastle are considering loaning Osula out during the January transfer window.

A spell in the Championship could really benefit him and allow him to find his feet as a goalscorer.

However, a loan departure will be dependent on another forward joining Eddie Howe’s side at the beginning of 2025.