Move it Osula: Newcastle teen who loves “scoring goals” could spell the end for Wilson
Newcastle United’s season is at a critical juncture, with injuries threatening to derail their campaign ahead of the Carabao Cup final.
The absence of key players such as Lewis Hall, who is likely to miss the remainder of the season, and Sven Botman, who has once again found himself in the medical room, leaves Eddie Howe with limited defensive options.
Jamaal Lascelles has yet to feature this season due to injury, further complicating the defensive situation. Meanwhile, Anthony Gordon’s suspension following a red card in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton adds to the challenges Newcastle must overcome.
Despite these setbacks, Newcastle have reached their second final in three years, an achievement that underscores their progress under Howe.
Their opponents, Liverpool, may be dealing with fatigue after a demanding Champions League second-leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain, providing Newcastle with a real opportunity to claim silverware.
One major concern for the Magpies remains Alexander Isak’s fitness, but optimism surrounds his availability after he was withdrawn as a precaution against Brighton. His presence will be crucial, especially with Callum Wilson struggling to make an impact and potentially nearing the end of his time at Newcastle.
Wilson has been a key figure for Newcastle since his £20 million move from Bournemouth in 2020, contributing 49 goals and 11 assists across 118 appearances.
Once among the Premier League’s most clinical strikers, his influence has waned this season, raising questions about his long-term future at the club. At 33 years old, the prospect of a contract extension appears unlikely, as Howe looks to refresh his attacking options.
Reports suggest Newcastle have the option to extend his deal by another year, but given his injury struggles and diminishing output, a departure in the summer seems inevitable.
| Season | Apps (Starts) | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 7 (1) | 0 | 0 |
| 2023/24 | 20 (9) | 9 | 1 |
| 2022/23 | 31 (21) | 18 | 5 |
| 2021/22 | 18 (16) | 8 | 0 |
| 2020/21 | 26 (23) | 12 | 5 |
Stats via Transfermarkt
As Newcastle prepare for life beyond Wilson, 21-year-old William Osula remains a work in progress. Signed from Sheffield United for £15 million last summer, Osula has struggled to make an impact, failing to register a single shot across ten substitute appearances in the Premier League.
His limited involvement, averaging just 2.4 touches per game, raises doubts over whether he is ready to serve as Isak’s understudy. While Howe will hope for Osula’s development, another emerging talent from Newcastle’s academy could provide the perfect long-term replacement for Wilson.
Ben Parkinson, a highly promising 19-year-old forward, has already made his first-team debut and has established himself as a consistent goal scorer at youth level.
Across U18 and U21 competitions, he has recorded 27 goals and seven assists in 73 appearances, showcasing his natural ability in front of goal. He thrives as a center-forward but has also demonstrated positional flexibility, with an ability to operate across the frontline.
This season, he has been particularly effective in the U21 setup, scoring eight goals and registering one assist in just 13 matches.
A recent injury has sidelined him since January, but he is expected to return soon, aiming for a potential senior appearance before the end of the season. Jordan Cronin previously highlighted Parkinson as one of the standout performers in an U21 victory, alongside Sven Botman, as the Dutchman neared the final stages of his rehabilitation.
With a natural striker’s instinct and an impressive scoring record at youth level, Parkinson has the potential to follow in Wilson’s footsteps and become a key figure in Newcastle’s attacking setup.
As Howe looks to strengthen the squad in the summer, securing a reliable goal-scoring option will be a priority. Whether Parkinson can transition into a regular first-team player remains to be seen, but his progress suggests he could play a significant role in Newcastle’s future.
With Wilson’s departure looming, the club may already have a prolific young striker ready to step up and make an impact. The coming months will be crucial in determining Newcastle’s attacking lineup, but Parkinson’s emergence provides an exciting glimpse into what the future may hold.