Alexander the Great: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pep Guardiola & more love Newcastle United’s £63m talisman
Newcastle United signed a worldie in Alexander Isak two-and-a-half years ago - here are the top 10 quotes on the super Swede by some of the game’s all-time greats.
The best Swedish export since ABBA and IKEA landed on Newcastle United’s doorstep in August 2022. As the Magpies travelled to Tranmere Rovers in the Carabao Cup, news broke about a potential club-record signing making his way to St James’ Park.
A relentless 50 goals in 89 games since donning the famous black-and-white stripes has resulted in Alexander Isak being crowned by some as the Premier League’s best striker. But that tag has not come without consequence, however, with Newcastle forced to slap a £150million price tag around the 25-year-old’s neck.
But just how good is United’s talisman? Don’t take it from us - here are the top 10 quotes from the world’s leading voices who simply just cannot get enough of the super Swede.
Alan Shearer
"His whole game is really, really top notch. 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. His ability to link up and his understanding (is brilliant). Everything about his game is of the highest quality.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
"I have seen him in action and he is fantastic."
Pep Guardiola
"Since arriving (at Newcastle), his impact has been really good. He had the conditions to be an incredible striker with his speed, his finishing. We started to follow him at Real Sociedad. We were impressed. He was a target. Wow. He is a young player but with these skills, all the clubs around the world take a look. It's not a surprise and he's adapted really well here in the Premier League. I don't know him personally, but I admire him a lot."
Eddie Howe
“My biggest thing with Alex is I am evaluating his game on a daily and weekly basis and I just want to try to push him for more. Everyone else can say where he is in the pecking order of world football. His game is in a good place at the moment. There is a lot more to come from him. Our job is to help him deliver that.”
Gary Lineker
“I remember sounding him out during the Euros or the World Cup in 2018 and thinking ‘hmm this lad for Sweden has got something about him. Then he went to Spain and scored goals there. He’s silky isn’t he? He’s one of those players that glides. He’s a really astute finisher. He’s very cool under pressure, he’ll score a lot of goals, I really like him. He’s definitely one of the best strikers in the Premier League.”
Micah Richards
“He's got such quick feet for a big man. If there was anyone who was going to make the difference in this game, it was this man. He can do it in the Premier League. I would love to see him in the Premier League, he's been linked to Arsenal so I might have found a gem there.”
Jamie Carragher
"He's not just a goalscorer, you're seeing some of his touches, and I can never forget the first time I saw him play live. It was a couple of years ago, maybe two or three years ago at Anfield, very early on in the season, he scored a goal, he ran through, and the thing about him is, when he's got a chance to score or he's got to finish, he's one of those strikers you never expect him to miss, he's always got that coolness in front of goal.”
Gary Neville
“Isak’s movement and the quality of his play – he’s absolutely fantastic. He’s improving all the time, we know he can score goals, he can run, but also his hold-up play and link with others I think he’s got better and better the more he’s been at Newcastle. We threw back to the studio, if he was the best striker in the Premier League, at this moment, I think he is. Purely because you watch Erling Haaland a lot and he’s a world-class striker but his general play is nothing like Isak’s at this moment in time.”
Jon Dahl Tomasson
“Alexander Isak is one of the best in the world at deep runs. I smile every time I watch his matches when he is playing for Newcastle United. His runs are so good. I am so impressed. he is a good teammate. That is what we need. Players who are passionate, players who want to be part of this.”
Magnus Wickman
"He's a bit shy and very humble. He is a mature person when you talk to him and even more so on the pitch. He's particularly intelligent on the pitch. His pace is quite high but not extreme. He is good with the ball and can link up with other players. He is more dynamic as he enjoys moving around and looking for space in the opposition half."