Eddie Howe highlighted the development of William Osula at Newcastle United.
The striker was close to a deadline day move to Eintracht Frankfurt, a club whose eye for forwards has been excellent with their signings of Sebastien Haller, Randal Kolo Muani, and Hugo Ekitiké.
But the deal fell through and the Toon have benefitted from his presence this season despite the double swoop for Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa. He came off the bench to spark the winning goal for the team against Fulham on the weekend, and his game is going from strength to strength.
“I think it was well documented. It was quite close for him. He could have left in a variety of ways: whether that was loan, which was always our preference because I think from our view, we wanted Will to play. We wanted him to continue his development which he did brilliantly last year.
“He committed to a path of limited game time but big training time. The next step for me was for him to try and play regularly. So, that was the aim and especially with us bringing two strikers in, the thought was that he could continue that development best on the football pitch.
“Obviously, it didn't happen and much to our relief, it didn't happen because obviously Yoane picked up an injury. Will's vitally important. We believe in his talents. He's got his speed. I think you could see that when he came on the pitch the other day. He's quick, he's athletic, but also I think what he's added is through the continued attitude he's had to his training a lot in terms of how to manage game situations
“He's benefited from that and he's coming on the pitch looking like the complete package. I think every time he's come on the pitch this season he's invariably he's performed and I think that's given them further belief for the next appearance.
“He's nursing an ankle injury, which again, I think he's showing real maturity. I don't know if he could have necessarily done it in the way that he's managed it this season last year. So, he has had limited training time.
“The Will that I know is that great personality, a real zest for life, always laughing, joking, popular in the dressing room. He has certainly got very close friendships. What's changed probably more this year than the last is he's very serious about his work.
“So when it's work time, he puts on a different face and he's very serious about his development and about his game, which I think it has been a positive slight change. I think he was positive, serious last year, but we've seen a more mature Will this year with his work, and I think he's benefited from that.
“He’s all energy. It's all action. I think that was the big difference he made against Fulham for us. He was I think his first couple of actions he's jumped from player to player initiating the press.
“We've then backed him up and he's got the crowd involved. It's changed the energy on the pitch and it's created a positive outcome for us. So, um we encourage him to do that. He's got all the physical attributes to do it and I think he's an incredible athlete. He's doing cameos at the moment. would love him to be able to sustain that for longer which is very difficult but he's got the physical capabilities.”
