- Newcastle United star earns praise of Glenn Murray
- William Osula misses great chance against Arsenal this weekend
- Ex Sheffield United man keeping Nick Woltemade out of side
An Eberechi Eze goal undid Newcastle United in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday. The Magpies are enduring bad form under their manager, Eddie Howe, having lost their last five games in all competitions. Despite the result, one player stood out for Glenn Murray.
On BBC Radio 5 Live, Murray picked out William Osula as someone capable of causing trouble against top-level defenders.
Osula had scored a goal in each of the side’s previous two matches but struggled against the William Saliba and Gabriel partnership.
The Dane had a golden chance in the opening seconds, but blazed it high and wide, which earned him a 4/10 rating in ReadNewcastle’s player ratings.
Murray singles out Osula
For much of his time at St James’ Park, he’s played second fiddle, which includes this season behind Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade.
However, those two have failed to offer anything of note in the attacking areas in recent months, which has meant the 22-year-old has played more matches.
Osula has delivered on a handful of occasions, such as a late winner against Manchester United in March, and two goals recently against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
He has started the last three games for the Magpies, and the way he has contributed to the team, it may become a regular sight as the Premier League heads into the final few weeks of the season.
Murray believes that he has plenty to offer to Howe’s team, and much of it is still unknown, which may make it a great time to get him into the starting XI, before the new campaign rolls around.
He said: “He is an unknown quantity; he has got everything. I really like his profile.
“He can’t quite knit it together, but he has so much potential. So much so that Eddie Howe has left two big summer signings on the bench in Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade.”
Howe’s troops take on Brighton next, and the Danish forward will be hoping he can make an impact again, as he returns to the scoresheet.
Another Newcastle player in need of game time
Osula has been important in the attack for recent weeks, but there is another figure in the squad who needs minutes up top, and that is Woltemade.
Ever since being shifted into midfield, the player’s confidence looks shot but he has showcased that he can still pull off moments of quality.
Yesterday, Woltemade picked out a peach of a lobbed pass for Wissa but the striker was unable to finish. If the Tyneside outfit are to return to European football next season, they will want the best version of the best striker at the club.
Osula can still find minutes, whether that’s off the wing or as a substitute, but this season has been a write-off. They need their record signing to turn things around next season, so it’s time to play him in his best position once again.
In other news, Bayern Munich issue Anthony Gordon statement amid £75m Newcastle United transfer links.
