Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been in scintillating form for the Magpies, scoring 10 times in his last 11 matches, with speculation linking the Swede with a blockbuster transfer exit
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been in scintillating form for the Magpies, scoring 10 times in his last 11 matches, with speculation linking the Swede with a blockbuster transfer exit Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been in scintillating form for the Magpies, scoring 10 times in his last 11 matches, with speculation linking the Swede with a blockbuster transfer exit
Alexander Isak will get even better and Newcastle CAN keep him by qualifying for the Champions League this season.
Eddie Howe is convinced the Sweden striker has become one of the world ’s most lethal strikers with ten goals in his last 11 games including a hat-trick against Ipswich at the weekend.
Isak, rated at £100m, will be hot-property in the transfer window, but Newcastle don’t want to sell and hope their top stars will stay if they force their way into the top five.
He has grabbed 46 goals in 72 starts since moving from Real Sociedad for £63m in August 2022. Howe said: “He’s had a brilliant couple of seasons for us and he looks like he’s hitting his best rhythm now. He’s such a valuable player for us.
“When I signed him I looked at his game in depth. With Alex, his all-round game, I felt he could do a little bit of everything – dropping deep to link play, being a creative link between our midfield and our attack, but also bring those stand-out qualities individually where he can make something happen out of nothing.
“He had, from that one season where he scored a huge amount of goals in LaLiga – which at such a young age isn’t easy to do. I believed he had the prowess to deliver that into the Premier League, albeit there’s always a slight question mark with the physicality of this league.
“And that’s where I have to give him a huge compliment because he’s made that step from the various leagues that he’s been in to come to the Premier League. I think he’s done really well, he’s almost taken everything in his stride.
“We wouldn’t have committed the fee that we did to the transfer if we didn’t believe that he could play and do well straight away.
(
Image:
Michael Regan)
“Now, he’s done that and he deserves a lot of credit for it because it’s not an easy thing to do, to transfer leagues in the way that he has, and I just hope it’s a start for him.”
Howe has set Isak the challenge of “evolving” his game so he doesn’t get worked out by the army of analysts in the game looking to stop him.”
There has been much speculation about how Newcastle can keep their top talents including Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes without being in Europe.
Howe said: “The challenge for the team is to be successful. With a successful team, everything is easier across the board in every respect. The challenge for me is to push the team to those heights.
Learn more
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
“We’re in the semi-final of a cup and that’s a massive thing for everyone on the horizon that brings real positivity. Our league form is improving and if we can continue to improve we’ll put ourselves in a good position.
“Everything is linked to that. But, away from the football, we have a duty to look after the players, to treat them well and give them the environment that they really enjoy. Then there is other stuff behind that in terms of their contracts. So, it’s a multi-linked thing, but on the pitch is the most important.
“Success on the pitch is everything. We said last year that we wanted European football, in any respect. But, of course, the Champions League is the one that everyone wants more than anything else. We will give our best to have the best season that we can. I don’t see any reason why we can’t be very successful this year.”
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Mirror – Sport