Alexander Isak is the hottest striker in Europe right now.
Eddie Howe wouldn’t swap him for anyone. Alan Shearer calls him a defender’s “nightmare.” Rival managers look at Newcastle with envy. There is an intriguing debate to be had over whether Isak is a more complete striker for a one-off game than club legend Shearer.
Too early to say ‘yes’? Maybe. Shearer carried the club for years, was top scorer in ten seasons, netted 206 goals, and was the long standing talisman. He has longevity and goals in the bank on his side.
But if you consider the increased speed and physical demands of today’s game, and Isak’s positional versatility across the front line, is he staking a claim to be the best ever?
Strikers are like gold dust, and the Geordies have a £120m prize asset that, hopefully for the Tyneside faithful. It is quite possible no club can afford to buy him this summer.
Take a look at Isak’s stats. It’s 23 in 36 games this season. It’s 19 in the league, one behind Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer for the Golden Boot. Nine goals in his last seven league games.
Isak has effortless pace, leggy poise, ruthless finishing, balletic balance. He scored all types of goals. He finished penalty kicks to both sides. The challenge now is to not be a flash in the pan.
The best since Shearer certainly while others, like Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse Loic Remy and Callum Wilson have all had brilliant finishing power but not gone the distance.
Isak is firing at a goal every 119minutes he plays in the Premier League. Shearer, for Newcastle, hammered home a goal every 177 minutes. The raw numbers tell a different story; Shearer with 148 league goals for the Toon over 303 games including 295 starts.
Isak has 29 goals in 48 games including 40 starts. Shearer leads in assists with 36 to Isak’s 2, something the Swede could improve. Isak has contributed to a remarkable goal-laden season for Eddie Howe’s side.
They have scored 74 goals in the league this season, their most in a top-flight campaign since May 1997. After their mid-march Dubai reset - and the dark place of FA Cup defeat to Man City - Newcastle have won four of their six league games, the defeat to Palace last week the only blemish.
Contrast to Manchester United’s form and the Geordies are chasing down a place in the Europa League. Isak, 24, is the spearhead. He’s shy, polite and modest, walking out of St James’ on Saturday with a quiet hello, promising an interview next time.
Howe is growing sick of transfer talk surrounding his big two Isak and Bruno Guimaraes. Howe defends United’s position saying: “Maybe we should just enjoy his performances. We have work to do as a club to maintain our drive and ambition, which is there, but the players have to feel that. We have to keep the momentum strong.”
That means investing in the summer, and clinching a Europa league place ahead of Man United. Isak is the man the Geordies really can’t afford to lose. Doubling his wages at a title challenging Champions League club would obviously be a lure.
Howe adds: “He is a much better player. We signed a very good player but playing in the Premier League improves you. Physically it is tough. You lead the line. His all round game has developed lots of facets he didn’t have when he came.
“He is so confident in front of goal. Now he is in the best moment of his career. He looks in a really good place and I enjoy watching him.”
Shearer himself is also super impressed. "His runs are superb. If you just watch how clever he is when he doesn't get the first pass played in, he then goes behind a defender to come back in and bend his run to make sure that he is onside, then he can make a really clever finish.
"He can also come and drop deep, so he is asking different questions of the defenders by saying: 'Are you going to come with me or are you going to drop off?' If you drop off, he has got the ability to hurt you there.
"He is just a constant threat all the time. His finishing is excellent and his penalty taking is as good as they come. He is confident and cool and believes in everything he is doing. We know that once he gets away over the top, he is going to cause you an absolute nightmare.”
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