For the third game in a row, Newcastle United could have won if Alexander Isak was available.
Alas, Isak wants to leave and is refusing to play. He has missed all three of Newcastle United’s games so far, and it remains to be seen if he will still be at St James’ Park beyond 7pm on Monday.
In his absence, Anthony Gordon has been starting up front. However, he was suspended for Newcastle’s 0-0 draw with Leeds United on Saturday evening.
That resulted in Will Osula receiving his first ever Premier League start for the club. It was an opportunity that he deserved after his goal against Liverpool.
However, it was also an opportunity that he wasted.
Will Osula chases the ball during Newcastle United's Premier League game against Leeds United.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
The numbers behind Will Osula’s poor performance against Leeds United
Osula is incredibly raw. That could not have been more evident against Leeds.
The 22-year-old barely got a sniff of goal. One chance did come his way in the first half, but it was blocked by a Leeds defender.
Other than that moment, it was a frustrating evening for Osula. He struggled to get involved in the game, often showing his naivety by giving away cheap free-kicks.
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He only touched the ball 24 times in the entire game. The only Newcastle players to touch the ball less were Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes, who were introduced in the second half.
The Magpies’ problems go beyond Osula, but this was a huge chance for him to prove to Eddie Howe that he can step up amid the club’s striker crisis. However, all he did was prove that Newcastle absolutely must sign another forward before the transfer window closes.
If not, Newcastle have to keep Isak, despite his desperation to depart.
Will Osula’s statistics against Leeds United:
Minutes played 90
Touches 24
Shots 1
Possession lost 7
Fouls committed 5
Will Osula struggles in front of Newcastle United’s newest signing
Osula’s struggles came on the day that Newcastle broke their transfer record.
It was announced in the morning that Newcastle have signed Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart. He becomes Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever, costing £69million including add-ons.
There is a lot of excitement about the 23-year-old’s arrival, and he was at Elland Road to watch his new team in action.
Woltemade will have seen exactly why he was added to the Newcastle United squad. Scoring goals is the issue, which is only natural when your superstar striker downs tools.
It will be up to the German to step up and become Newcastle’s main source of goals, hopefully starting at home to Wolves on 13th September. That will likely be when the Magpies’ latest recruit makes his debut.
Five days later it will be Newcastle United vs Barcelona in the Champions League. Now that is some stage for Woltemade to really show the Toon Army what he is capable of.