The Swedish frontman has shown this season that he has the ability to consistently score goals at the very highest level
The world at large is beginning to realise what Newcastle United fans have known for some time now. Alexander Isak is a world-class striker operating at the very highest level.
But in an era where every player has their price and the pressures of financial fair play increasingly mean clubs have to sell in order to buy, Newcastle simply can’t afford to let him leave, even for big bucks. No one player is bigger than the club, of course, and while Eddie Howe doesn’t want to see any of his top stars move on, the reality that is a huge offer could facilitate two or three more signings.
Newcastle aren’t alone in this situation. Even the likes of Liverpool (Mane, Fabinho), Manchester City (Palmer, Mahrez, Sterling, Sane, Laporte) and Tottenham (Kane) have allowed players to leave before making changes to their squad. The difference for United is that they’re very much building and don’t yet have the strength in depth to cope without some key players.
No one wants to see stars such as Bruno Guimaraes leave St James’ Park, but at the very least an argument could be made for how Newcastle could reinvest the money. There are no guarantees, but making a £60m profit then buying two £30m-rated players could be advantageous.
The same could be said of Isak. . . apart from one key factor. The 24-year-old has shown this season that he has that more rarest of attributes. He is a goalscorer and once you find one, you hold on to him for as long as you can.
Alan Shearer – he knows something about scoring goals at the very top level – said it best this week when discussing Isak’s future. “They’re sat on a great asset and it would be absolutely bonkers if Newcastle, for whatever reason, sold him in the summer,” he told Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast. “It’s really difficult to get goalscorers and he is one of the best, and they love him and rightly so.”
Quite simply, Isak has it all. He may not have the score-at-all-costs predatory instincts of a traditional No 9, but he ticks almost every box. He has pace, skill, the ability to run with the ball, a calmness in front of goal that sometimes beggars belief and the intelligence to find space in the most crowded of areas.
Just look at the stats. Isak’s 19 Premier League goals have come in just 29 appearances this season, and with four more games to play, few would back against him breaking the 20-goal mark. If he was to notch against Brighton it would take his St James’ Park goalscoring streak to eight consecutive games.
For context, Isak is well ahead of some of his big-money Premier League rivals. Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez only has 11, Spurs’ Richarlison and Niclas Jackson of Chelsea 10. Rasmus Hojlund may have a better future ahead of him but the Manchester United new boy has only managed eight so far in debut season at Old Trafford.
Some more experienced Premier League performers are even further behind. Arsenal pair Gabriel Jesus (four) and Eddie Nketiah (five) aren’t even halfway to Isak’s total combined, while Marcus Rashford has seven, Dominic Calvert-Lewin six and Raul Jimenez only five.
Ivan Toney looks set for a big-money move this summer, but while his season was of course delayed after his ban, the former Newcastle youngster has only notched four times in 15 appearances since his return. Not a bad ratio, but nowhere close to Isak’s.
The Swede is improving too. His first year at Newcastle, although injury-hit, saw him bag 10 goals in 27 appearances, which was a respectable return. Consistency is the hallmark of true class, of course, but he has shown all the signs that this is no one-season wonder.
Newcastle United have big ambitions. Retaining and building the club around Isak – and Anthony Gordon – is the best way to fulfil them and bring their dreams to reality.
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