After his contract with Bournemouth expired, Eddie Howe signed Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer

because he knew how valuable Kelly could be to the team.

Although Newcastle United’s summer transfer window was rather disappointing,

The Magpies did acquire a few players who are now part of the starting lineup.

 

The left-sided defender/left-back has started every Premier League game this season.

splitting time between the field and the substitute bench, and he has already contributed an assist.

Will Osula, Newcastle’s second first-team acquisition, has spent the entire season on the bench

in all five of the team’s games this year despite joining from Sheffield United

for a cost that might reach £15 million.

Will Osula was left on the bench despite Newcastle having no striker on the pitch on Sunday

Osula wouldn’t even be on the bench if Callum Wilson were fit.

as was made very clear on Sunday when Eddie Howe

was forced to substitute attacker Alexander Isak at halftime.

Howe placed Anthony Gordon into the middle to cover for Osula as a striker.

leaving his real striker to watch from the sidelines.

In response, fans questioned Chris Waugh about Osula’s position at the team

in his most recent Q&A with The Athletic.

Is Will Osula this season’s Lewis Hall?

If Osula is being treated like Lewis Hall was the previous season—that is,

kept around and around the first team with minimal real involvement to hone his skills and

confidence that is the concern posed.

Waugh essentially confirmed this when he stated that Osula is being referred to as a “project player.”

which implies that he is more of a player for the near future than the present.

 

That makes sense considering that Osula has played in 17 Premier League games for Sheffield United

without scoring a goal. Osula did score for Newcastle in the Sela Cup during the preseason.

but the goal was disallowed for offside.

However, it was a clean finish and perhaps a sign of what the 6’4″ Danish U21 can do.