Will Osula led the line for Newcastle United against West Ham on Sunday to great effect.
The Danish Under-21 international has become Eddie Howe’s go-to man up top recently, and the former Sheffield United man is repaying his boss’s faith with goals.
A brace against West Ham on Sunday took Osula’s recent tally to five goals in six games. We thought he was going to start on the right side of the attack on Sunday, but he was the lone striker with Nick Woltemade playing as a No. 10.
Big Nick also got himself on the scoresheet, and the reaction from the crowd heavily hinted that the Toon Army have not given up on the German.
Osula has repaid the faith – Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe also never gave up on Will Osula when many believed that he had. It looked like Osula’s time was up at Newcastle when he almost joined Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, but the club pulled the plug on the deal late on, which has proven to be a good move.
Discussing that ‘nearly moment’ and his progression over the 2025/26 season after Sunday’s 3-1 win, Howe
“Yes, I think that’s a massive thing (that he stayed). You look back now and we’re very, very pleased that he didn’t.
“He was obviously desperate to play. He was desperate to prove his worth. Again, he had to be patient in the early stages of this season, but sometimes patience is really worth showing.
“I think I have to praise Graeme Jones, Jason Tindall and a lot of people that have done a lot of work with him. He obviously has to commit to that work, but there’s been an incredible amount of development that’s gone on in his game since he’s been here.
“I wanted to give him a run of games to try and see what he could do. I think it’s very difficult for any player if you’re in and out. Sometimes I have to make those decisions where players are in and out because I have to try and always do what’s best for the team and try and get a result in the next game.
“But I felt he did well enough in those early games to warrant leaving in and he’s really repaid that faith. I think he’s been excellent in recent games.
“His confidence seems to be growing, his all-round game is improving. He’s a player of huge potential.
“He’s got a great pace and power about him. He’s a really, really good finisher off both feet, which is very rare. He’s 6’3″, 6’4”, which is also a really big bonus for us because of set plays and his hold-up play, and he’s got a presence up front.
“So I think he’s got great tools. He still needs a lot of development. He still needs to stay very humble and level, because I think there’s a lot more to come from him. But he’s certainly done very well and I’m really pleased for him.”
Speaking to Sky Sports after the win against the Hammers, Howe also suggested there is still much more to come.
“He’s really growing I think. He’s improving all the time. I thought there were some really good moments from him today, and the goals.
“To lead the line for Newcastle isn’t an easy thing, there’s a lot of pressure, expectation and responsibility with that role.
“He’s vastly improved, but I still feel he’s got a lot to come, which is really exciting.”
How do you feel about Will Osula?
We feel like Will Osula is one of those players who divides opinion. You can either appreciate that behind the errors is a lot of potential, or you focus on the errors and believe he doesn’t have what it takes to be a top striker.
The bottom line right now is that he’s the one who is scoring goals for Newcastle, so whatever you think of his potential, he’s delivering right now.
There is a lot to his game that needs to be ironed out, but he’s got a great coach in Eddie Howe who can help him do that, and Osula seems determined to prove himself.
Fingers crossed we keep hold of him in the summer, and we continue to develop him before a final judgement is made.
