A Newcastle United striker has clearly made a strong impression on new head coach Matthias Jaissle.
William Osula is now expected to stay at Newcastle United for the coming campaign, ending months of speculation over his future at St James' Park.
The Denmark forward had been strongly linked with a switch to the Bundesliga throughout last season, with Eintracht Frankfurt viewing him as a leading target.
A January move to the German side came close to happening in the final days of the winter transfer window, but the deal eventually fell through, leaving Osula on Tyneside to compete for his place.
That persistence brought rewards during the closing stretch of the season, with Osula producing an impressive finish to the campaign and ending it with seven goals from eight starts.
He has carried that form into pre-season under new head coach Matthias Jaissle, playing a prominent role throughout Newcastle's summer preparations.
Most significantly, Osula turned in an eye-catching display in the 1-1 friendly draw against Strasbourg, where his direct running and pressing created problems for the French club's defence.
Jaissle's tactical approach may also be well suited to Osula's physical attributes. In earlier managerial roles, the German coach has used a system with two centre-forwards aimed at unsettling opposition defences.
This structure depends on a partnership between an athletic, line-stretching runner such as Osula, who can open up the pitch and press aggressively, and a support striker like Nick Woltemade, who drops into pockets of space to connect midfield and attack.
"We've already learned [Jaissle's] play styles in and out of possession and how he likes to play tactically. It has been good," Osula told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"I want to continue to show what I can do, remain confident. I know what I can do on the pitch so it's just keeping doing that."
Newcastle are not involved in European football this season, but they could place greater emphasis on making deep runs in the cup competitions; the club's group of strikers will be expected to share most of the goalscoring responsibility.
FourFourTwo understands Osula could have a central role for Newcastle from the very beginning of this season, rather than the limited part he played in previous campaigns, starting this weekend against Liverpool.
With his short-term future now resolved and a head coach who appreciates his specific tactical strengths, Osula has the opportunity to establish himself as an important part of Newcastle's attack under Jaissle.
-
Can Arsenal retain the Premier League title? The arguments for and against

-
Panchayat Secretary caught taking Rs 13K bribe in Mancherial

-
Is Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan’s 3rd baby on the way?

-
When could Savinho make his Tottenham debut?

-
First lots of attention, then sudden distance, what is Gen Z's 'puffer fishing' dating trend?
