#NUFC are signing William Osula from Sheffield United for a reported 10m + 5m in add-ons. After talking with pals at Sheff Utd who’ve watched him every week & conducting my own research, here’s a 🧵on what we can expect from the Danish U21 forward 🔽

Before I delve into his performance data I wanted to discuss where Osula is on his development curve. Having joined Sheff Utd from FC København in 2018, Osula has played just 1,837 mins (20.4 90s) across 52 senior appearances at the Blades & out on loan. #NUFC

To put that into context, that’s fewer senior minutes than Lewis Miley (aged 18) has for the #NUFC first team. In essence, his overall game is a year or two behind where it should be at this stage of his development.

Why has this happened? Well because Osula: 🏃‍♂️ Has real speed & 💪 good strength ↔️ Shoots off of either foot ⚽ Is technically decent 📏 Is tall enough to be an aerial threat Like Miley, his quality has kept him on the fringes of the 1st team instead of out on loan #NUFC

Last season was an example of this. While injuries gave him some starts early on, Osula generally got poor-quality minutes during the garbage time of games. #NUFC

Being chucked onto the pitch when the result has all but been decided, into a well below league average 🔵 attack at Sheff Utd 🔴 isn’t nessecarily an environment where an inexperienced player is going to show their best. #NUFC

So it’s in this context, I’d like you to consider Osula’s performance data 🔴 compared to the league average 🔵 While it’s clear he has all of the tools you’d want in a striker, he lacks the experience & know-how to make the most of them consistently. #NUFC

Additionally, when you compare how more experienced youngsters such as Cameron Archer 🔴 & James McAtee 🔴 also faired vs. league averages 🔵 at Sheff Utd, it feels harsh to be too down on Osula for not excelling, even if ideally you’d want to see more. #NUFC

However, some signs do look encouraging. Osula (2.19) was the only player outside of Brereton-Diaz (2.5) to take more than 2️⃣ shots per 90 for Sheff Utd. While they were from poor locations, he managed near team-leading volume & got a decent chunk on target #NUFC

Additionally, in the few opportunities Osula has been on the “stronger” team in a game, he has shown he can find the net. And across all seasons & senior comps, he has recorded: ◾ 0.26 Goals per-90 ◾ 2.4 shots per-90 ◾ 0.32 non-penalty xG per-90 ◾ 0.14xG per shot #NUFC

Osula’s pace & movement are the key drivers behind these stats. They allow him to create separation from his marker and receive the ball to feet & in behind across the front line. #NUFC

Additionally, Osula’s ability to shoot equally well with both his left & right foot is another reason he’s so adept at getting shots away. Without a “weak” side to show him onto (& a neat stepover to shot skill) he's harder to defend. #NUFC

The last couple of clips above are a capsule of the frustrating inconsistency in Osula’s game. In both cases, his initial good work is undermined by poor awareness and decision-making, choosing a shot rather than finding a teammate in space. #NUFC

Whether this is down to inexperience or is a genuine gap in his makeup remains an open question, but with just 4️⃣ key passes and no assists across all of his senior appearances, his final ball needs some work. #NUFC

The same is true of his passing more generally. Though across the 23/24 season, he was operating in the toughest areas of the pitch to successfully find teammates, he needs to focus on ‘keep it simple’ rather than being so aggressive. #NUFC

In fact, Osula completed just 58% of his passes for Sheff Utd in build-up & attacking areas. While there is a team play element to this, right now his link-up play is needs real work. #NUFC

When it comes to carrying the ball upfield, glimpses of Osula’s potential are again undermined by his inconsistency. His overall carry success 🔴 is just 58% which is lower than both Wilson (64%) & Isak (84%). One vs. One, he beats his man 29% of the time. #NUFC

However, one area he does compare well with #NUFC’s existing striking options is in the air. Overall he wins 25% of his duels 🔴, lower than Isak (28%) but better than Wilson (24%). Our heading model rates him with a 32% chance of winning a header vs. the average player.

One area which is of no concern to #NUFC is Osula’s off-the-ball work. The lad grafts in a way that’d make our fatha’s proud. Obviously, Sheff Utd spent a lot of time defending, but still his output fits what Howe would want 🔽 #NUFC

And make no bones about it Howe’s role here is the key. #NUFC have essentially laid a £10m bet that his coaching will unlock the player's undoubted potential in the same way we saw with Gordon.

While as part of #NUFC’s attack 🔵 he’ll get better quality opportunities to shine in the dying minutes against tired legs. Once again Osula will be a fringe squad man, able to cover both wings & up top, but relying on injuries to others to get significant minutes.

While a loan is probably optimal for his development, the player will again have to take all he can from training alongside Wilson/Isak as he makes the next step in his career with #NUFC

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