The view from Sheffield on Will Osula – A must-read on Newcastle’s new £10m man

During my time at Sheffield Hallam University, I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Glave; a die-hard Sheffield United fan who seemed the perfect man to message after Newcastle agreed a fee for Blades striker William Osula last week.

As a season-ticket holder who has followed Osula’s progress closely over the past three years – from scoring in their youth teams to his Premier League debut last season – it’s been brilliant to find out more about the 21-year-old forward who’s on Tyneside as we speak finalising a move.

Here’s our chat with Joe (@glavey), who discussed everything from strengths and weaknesses to the reported fee, Osula’s character and the current Premier League striker he compares to:

Q1) First of all, what are the main strengths to Osula’s game?

“As much as it’s a become a newly overused term to describe footballers’ attributes nowadays, Osula’s dynamism and athleticism mixed with his raw pace screams out as one of his main strengths. He’s also quite skilful and can hold the ball up well for a ‘big lad’.

“He’s got the physical attributes of a big target man but the pace and dynamism of a winger. He just needs to add goals to his game.”

Q2) On the flip side, what are his current weaknesses and main areas to improve?

“Osula is absolutely not the finished article, however, he clearly has tonnes of potential. For our under 23’s he’s scored for fun but when he’s played in the first time he’s not been as fruitful in front of goal. Of course, you can put that down to his age, but also the chances he has had for us in the first team have mainly been from the bench.

“He’s crying out for a long stint of games, and whilst that will probably be initially on a loan to a Championship team, I think that’s when he should see his potential starting to be realised out on the pitch.”

Q3) He’s only just turned 21 and is clearly still a work in progress, but some Newcastle fans have noticed he didn’t score in 21 Premier League appearances last season…

“I pick up on this in some of the last question, but the vast majority of those minutes were off the bench. He was also playing for a team which were truly woeful in terms of chances created in the final third last season, so I wouldn’t base last seasons stats on a true reflection of his potential.

“However, I still feel a loan move to a club where he’s starting every game will be the springboard to see whether he can add goals to his clear potential. If the goal return isn’t a good, he may fall under the ‘Rhian Brewster’ category that we find ourselves in with that particular ‘young promising signing’.”

Q4) What do you make of the fee, reported to be £10m + £5m in potential future add-ons?

“With the fee it’s a tough one because I remember us selling Dominic Calvert Lewin to Everton for £1m and also Aaron Ramsdale to Bournemouth for the same fee. Neither of those looked even close to breaking through to the first team never mind becoming Premier League and international regulars during their time with us.

“If Osula hits the ground running on loan and is then integrated into the first team, it could be a real bargain for you. If someone said to me a month ago Newcastle will sign Osula for £10m + £5m in add-ons it would have been the case of begrudgingly accepting it, but with the worry of he could very much turn out to be another one of those Calvert-Lewin’s or Ramsdale’s that we could of got a lot more money for.

“That said, it could turn out to be a great bit of business for a cash-strapped Sheffield United at the minute.”

Q5) What is his attitude and temperament like on and off the pitch? Eddie Howe often demands hard workers who listen, learn and don’t disrupt the dressing room.

“He very much comes across as a ‘good egg’. No ego there and he definitely gives everything when he’s out on the pitch. His character certainly will match the expectations of Eddie Howe.”

Q6) Osula is likely to arrive as our third-choice striker behind Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson. How do you see that dynamic working for him at this stage of his career and do you feel a loan move may be needed?

“If it’s a case of him being Isak’s deputy with Wilson out injured, it’s certainly a big step up for him but one he could certainly well take. He’s got all the attributes and potential to score goals in the Premier League.

“I think it’s also worth looking at the fact that he’ll be playing for a team that will no doubt create chances and open up defences. Last season when he did feature it was a case of him running the line and receiving next to no service. Overall I’d say you’ve got a highly rated prospect who could very much sparkle if deputising for Isak and that could be at a bargain price if all goes well. However, I’m sure Newcastle fans would probably feel more content going into the season with a more experienced deputy striker with proven Premier League experience going into the new season

“In my opinion, game time is absolutely needed for him. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see him heading out (on loan) come the back end of the transfer window unless the club feel Wilson will be back from injury soon.”

Q7) If you had to compare him to another forward in world football, who would it be and why?

“This is a tough one. He’s a bit of a throwback because he’s got the physical attributes of a target man but the pace and dynamism of a winger. Sorry to cop out on this one as I know this isn’t a current player in world football, but for me he very much reminds me of Brian Deane, who was a hero for us in the 80’s and 90’s. He just needs to add goals to his game!

“At a push. I would say he’s got similar characteristics to Mateta at Palace but he’s not quite as ‘stocky’.”

Q8) Finally, some websites have him down as 5ft 11′ and other at 6ft 4′. I’m guessing he’s had a growth spurt, but could you give any guidance after seeing him in the flesh!?