Alexander Isak has cemented himself as a world-class striker, leading Newcastle United to their first trophy in 56 years. His journey from an unfulfilled talent to a talismanic figure has been remarkable, culminating in his 23rd goal of the season as Newcastle defeated Liverpool 2-1 to lift the Carabao Cup.
As recently as last September, when Newcastle suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Fulham, few could have predicted Isak’s meteoric rise. His talent was never in question, but he was often perceived as a complex character driven yet occasionally reserved. His initial struggles were evident, scoring only once in Newcastle’s first six matches. Even as he played through a broken toe, his performances lacked the dominance expected of a club-record signing.
Newcastle’s manager, Eddie Howe, demanded more. He provided Isak with a detailed analysis of his movement, stressing the importance of positioning inside the box. The message was clear: get into the right areas, and the goals would follow.
The results were immediate. Since October 27, Isak has scored 21 goals in 24 starts, averaging a goal every 92.5 minutes across all competitions. In the Premier League, only Mohamed Salah has outscored him during this period. Seventeen of his 19 league goals have come from inside the box, including seven from just eight shots inside the six-yard area. Jacob Murphy has provided six assists for Isak, highlighting Howe’s tactical adjustments to maximize his potential.
Newcastle defender Dan Burn has labeled Isak “probably the best striker in the world at the minute.” The statistics support such high praise 57 goals in 99 appearances for Newcastle, averaging 0.77 goals per 90 minutes. He reached 50 Premier League goals in just 76 games, the seventh-fastest in history. Unlike in 2023, when Howe controversially left him out of the Carabao Cup final starting lineup in favor of Callum Wilson, there is no debate now Isak is the first name on the team sheet.
Two years ago, Isak was more about potential than consistency. When Newcastle signed him in 2022, other top clubs hesitated. Arsenal considered him but opted for Gabriel Jesus. Real Madrid and Manchester City scouted him but decided against a bid. His price tag, initially set at £75 million by Real Sociedad, raised concerns, especially after his goal tally dropped from 17 in 2020-21 to just six in 2021-22.
However, Howe was convinced. After analyzing Isak’s performances, he quickly identified the striker as a perfect fit. Less than 30 minutes into reviewing a match against Barcelona, he stopped the tape and declared: “He’s the one I want.” With Wilson injured in August 2022, Newcastle acted decisively, securing Isak for a club-record £60 million, rising to £63 million.
There were doubts about whether his inconsistency in Germany and Spain would translate to England, but Newcastle’s recruitment team saw it as a calculated risk. Howe and his staff believed in his “uncoachable raw ingredients” pace, technical ability, dribbling, height, and finishing prowess. Two years later, their faith has been rewarded. Isak is on track to become the first Newcastle player to score 20 Premier League goals in consecutive seasons.
What has changed for Isak? Consistency. His shot selection has improved dramatically, with 88% of his attempts coming from inside the box. His movement is sharper, his finishing more clinical, and his chemistry with teammates has flourished. His ability to score with both feet, coupled with his aerial threat, has made him a nightmare for defenders. He is also significantly outperforming his expected goals (xG), showcasing his elite finishing ability.
For Howe, Isak represents more than just a prolific goalscorer. He is proof that Newcastle’s recruitment strategy focused on unlocking the full potential of high-upside players is working. Now, he is their undisputed talisman, and Newcastle’s first trophy in over five decades is largely thanks to their record-breaking, difference-making, world-class striker Alexander Isak.
