Sport

Isak is set to become one of the best strikers in the Premier League

Alexander Isak’s brace against Nottingham Forest was a landmark moment for him. The Newcastle United striker has now scored 50 goals in the Premier League and he has achieved it in just 76 games. These are the numbers of someone widely considered to be one of the best centre forwards in the division right now.

In fact, Isak is on course to become of the greatest strikers the Premier League has ever seen. In a goalscoring era otherwise dominated by Erling Haaland, the Newcastle forward has managed to carve out a reputation for himself as someone who gives his team a different dimension in the attacking third.

Haaland might be the sharpest finisher of his generation, but Isak has an incomparable dynamism. He has pace to burn and has the sort of effortless elegance that has prompted many to compare the Newcastle striker with Thierry Henry. In terms of his all-round output, he might be the best centre forward in the Premier League at this moment in time.

“I love working with Alex and I wouldn’t swap him for anyone,” said Eddie Howe when asked about the level Isak is operating at right now “We’ve tried to help him by moulding our style of play to suit his game. I really respect Erling [Haaland] and what he’s done in his career is unbelievable, but we really love Alex.”

“He does things that aren’t like your traditional centre-forward. He’s almost a winger combined into a striker’s mentality because his footwork and dribbling ability is so good. That’s almost winger-like and then you put him into the middle of the pitch and, with his pace and technical ability and exceptional finishing, he’s sort of got the whole package linked into one. He’s very unique and I’d encourage him to stay that way.”

Howe has managed to get even more out of Isak this season by shuffling his forward line. Previously, Anthony Gordon was playing on the right wing as a left footer. This meant he would often cut inside and congest the middle of the pitch. Now, Gordon is playing on the left with Jacob Murphy – a right footer – on the right. Both are getting more service into Isak as a result.

Gordon and Murphy are also getting among the goals, linking up with Isak as the focal point of Newcastle’s forward line. The Swede has significantly improved his all-round game over the last two seasons and is now capable of dropping deep to link up play. This is something else that makes Isak special.

Isak has been linked with a move away from St James’ Park, but there’s surely no way Newcastle would consider selling their best player. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United would all be immediately be improved by the addition of the Swede. Newcastle, however, are under no pressure to sell as long as they can stay on the right side of PSR.

Newcastle can build around Isak for years to come. At a time when some of the biggest clubs in Europe are scrambling for an elite level centre forward, the Magpies have one who is getting better and better. At just 25 years old, Isak has time to rise a long way up the all-time scoring chart in the Premier League having already notched 50 goals.

The only thing that could potentially prompt Isak to look elsewhere might be a lack of Champions League football. Someone as good as him deserves to be playing at the top of the European game. As things stand, though, Newcastle are on course for a top five finish with Isak’s goals pushing them forward. Isak is pushing them forward in every way.