Newcastle United were demoted to the Championship after a horrible season in the Premier League but they had made their intentions quite clear from the onset, for the Geordies weren’t going to surrender themselves and stagnate in the second tier.
Credit where it is due, Rafael Benitez has transformed the stature of the club on its head and as a result of his tactical nous coupled with his troops firing more often than not, they are in a commendable position to get a direct ticket back to the Premier League.
After 36 league outings, Newcastle United are placed at the summit of the chart, having collected 77 points and have a lead of 3 points over second placed Brighton & Hove Albion. A promotion looks very likely and Benitez’s long-term aspirations of giving the black and white crop a notable recognition in the coming years imply that he would need to beef up his squad in the summer transfer window.
And amidst all the news filtering in, what caught our attention was that Nottingham Forest’s winger, Ben Osborn has been linked with a move to the Tyneside. Osborn spent his youth career with Derby County and Nottingham Forest and eventually got into the senior side of the Reds.
The 22-year-old is one of the hottest prospects which the Championship side boasts of at the moment and has been one of the stand-out performers so far this season, scoring 3 goals, registering 5 assists, creating 67 chances and completing 1043 passes with an accuracy of 78% in 35 appearances.
Osborn is a relatively experienced figure in Tricky Trees’ ranks and no wonder that the Magpies are looking determined to make him put the pen to the paper once the curtains of the summer transfer window get lifted.
Conventionally a left winger, Osborn is a versatile player who can be used centrally as well and gives his team an added edge. He toils relentlessly on the pitch, moves across intelligently, plays those one-twos meticulously and provides a decent cover to the defenders by tracking back when needed.
His well-constructed frame gives him an aerial advantage as well and it would not be biased to admit that he is a star in the making. With Nottingham Forest hardly having a season to remember, Osborn is unlikely to resist the temptation if a club like Newcastle United come calling and if the deal materialises, it should benefit all the parties involved.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.com
