‘He has to’ - Alan Shearer sets Alexander Isak ultimate Newcastle United challenge
Alan Shearer believes Alexander Isak belongs in the same bracket as Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland providing he remains injury-free.
Another ruthless brace at the weekend put Southampton to the sword and took the Swedes’ tally for the season to 19 across all competitions. Those numbers are some turnaround for Isak, who had just one Premier League goal until October 27.
Newcastle United paid a club-record fee to sign the 25-year-old in August 2022 and some questioned his £63million price tag. Isak impressed immediately but struggled to battle several niggling injuries.
Last season saw the striker bag 25 times to establish himself as one of England’s best. With Isak continuing that form into 2024-25, the question has become whether he is the best on the planet.
Salah (19) and Haaland (18) remain ahead of him in the Golden Boot race but the Toon talisman (17) is hot on their tails. Newcastle need Isak fit if they are to have a chance of lifting silverware and securing a Champions League spot this season.
Speaking to The Rest Is Football podcast, United legend Shearer urged Isak, relied upon heavily this season due to Callum Wilson’s woes, to keep away from the treatment table. He said: “He’s been at Newcastle two-and-a-half seasons and has nearly 50 Premier League goals.
“That’s a very good record. I think he’s getting better. The one thing that he has to steer clear from is, obviously, the injuries. If he plays regularly, his ability, the way he carries the ball, his touch and everything else, for me, I think he’s played himself into the category of two other world-class players in (Mohamed) Salah and (Erling) Haaland.”