Newcastle have found their new Elliot Anderson

Will Osula was the star of the show for Newcastle United as they beat West Ham United 3-1 in their final home game of the Premier League season at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

The Magpies swept the relegation battlers aside with relative ease, thanks to a brace from the Danish centre-forward and a goal from Nick Woltemade.

Osula has now scored seven goals from 4.29 xG in the Premier League, despite only starting seven of his 23 appearances, and deserves his place in the starting line-up.

Despite the signings of Woltemade and Yoane Wissa last summer, from Stuttgart and Brentford respectively, the Danish forward is finishing the season as the first-choice number nine.

The 22-year-old marksman’s current form is another sign to Eddie Howe and the board that they need to be patient with the young players in the squad.

Eddie Howe’s tactical masterstroke against West Ham

Playing Osula as the main centre-forward against the Hammers was a tactical masterstroke by Howe because the away side needed a win in their fight to avoid relegation, which meant that they had to push their defensive line up the pitch.

The Denmark U21 international’s electric pace and physical strength make him almost unstoppable on the break against teams that play high, and he punished West Ham for playing too high for his opening goal.

Osula, who won five out of his five ground duels in the match, later grabbed a second goal with a cool finish around the penalty spot, and was a constant menace to the opposition’s defence with his physicality and runs in behind.

The Magpies will be grateful that they did not sell the forward after Eintracht Frankfurt made a £28.5m offer last summer, as he almost became the next Elliot Anderson, who was sold to Nottingham Forest for £35m in 2024.

Whilst losing Anderson, who is now valued at £100m, was a bitter blow in hindsight, Howe does already have a star who is his own version of the England international.

Newcastle United already have their own version of Elliot Anderson

On the same day that the Forest midfielder delivered two assists in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, Bruno Guimaraes put on a masterclass in the middle of the park for the Magpies.

The Brazil international was a monster as he ran the game in and out of possession for Newcastle against the Hammers, showing off his technical and defensive quality for Howe.

Guimaraes ended the match with almost 100 touches of the ball (97) as he got on the ball to dictate the match and make things happen going forward.

The former Lyon ace also won a whopping 13 duels, including 12 ground duels (game-high), whilst only being dribbled past a single time, as he constantly put himself about to win possession back for the home team.

Guimaraes chucked himself into tackles and duels, giving away five fouls, to disrupt the opposition and ensure that Newcastle were not exposed defensively on the break, mastering the tactical foul by avoiding a yellow card from five fouls.

The Brazilian was also involved in a controversial moment when Tomas Soucek was pictured putting his foot towards the midfielder on the floor, but the Czechia international went unpunished by the referee as he looked to be trying to get to the ball.

Guimaraes may not be a homegrown player, as Anderson was, but he is an adopted Geordie and is just as influential in midfield as the now-Forest star is.

The 28-year-old ace has produced nine goals and five assists in 28 Premier League games, whilst winning 2.2 tackles per game and winning 51% of his duels.

Anderson, meanwhile, has racked up four goals and four assists, whilst making 2.7 tackles per match and winning 55% of his duels in the top-flight for the Tricky Trees.

Both central midfielders can impact matches with goals and assists from the middle of the park, and they are both combative players who like to bite into challenges to win the ball back for their side.

So, whilst Newcastle may still regret cashing in on Anderson almost two years ago, Howe does have his own version of the English star in his midfield.