Alexander Isak scored his 22nd and 23rd goals in a 5-1 win over Sheffield United. Photo: Getty Images/Serena Taylor
The more you watch Alexander Isak – the way he plays the game, the goals he scores, the more you see him change the course of matches and determine them outcome – the easier it is to call him the best striker in the Premier League.
Of course, in his current form, there is no one who can match Isak's level. He is a joy to watch, a player to enjoy and Newcastle United can celebrate for as long as they can.
The way he runs with the ball, his lanky frame, his long legs and arms, gliding over the grass, the clinician finishes with either foot when he has a goal in sight.
Whether he's playing through the middle or cutting through the middle from the left (which he and Anthony Gordon switch between to keep opposing defenses guessing), he's very difficult to contain. The fact that he can play both roles equally well makes him even more difficult to stop.
Isak scored 23 goals in just 36 games in his second season at Newcastle and became the club's first player to score that season. seven home games in a row after Alan Shearer.
There is no debate about Tyneside no more: the 24-year-old is the best striker to wear the black and white stripes since Shearer retired 18 years ago.
Others briefly shone brightly – Demba Ba, Papiss Cissé, Loïc Remy and, of course, his current Newcastle team-mate Callum Wilson. But Isak is a world class player and he constantly proves it. He deserves to be talked about among the world's elite, although Newcastle will not entertain any talk of him leaving. Not at the moment. Hopefully not ever, but certainly not now.
They are likely to agree a new contract worth £63 million in the next few weeks, although there are still four years left on his current deal to ensure he goes next to Bruno Guimarães as the highest paid player.
The idea is clear: it is not for sale this summer. But that's unlikely to dissuade teams from trying. Football is ruthless and opponents will do whatever it takes to frustrate the Sweden international. Reports are already circulating of interest from Arsenal, among others.
“I think he's world class,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said. “I don’t sit and analyze all the other strikers in the world, but the most important thing is: I wouldn’t trade him for anyone.
“If you look at his age profile and what, okay, his quality and quality , he's great.
“I and, probably, Alex are offended that there are such questions about his future. I understand why the questions are being asked and the better he performs, the more goals he scores. it [will be asked], but we should just enjoy his game and the way he's playing now.”
One of the most impressive things about Isak is that he scores all kinds of goals, from making headlines. But his first goal against Sheffield United shows just how dangerous and lethal he can be.
Newcastle were poor. Indeed, there is a strong case to be made that it was as bad as at home this season. Sheffield United were tearing through the midfield and showing a lack of pace in defense. The home crowd was restless. Trailing after Anel Ahmedhodzic's header, Newcastle were everywhere.
And then, out of nowhere, Isak scored, running into a well-thought-out a pass from Jacob Murphy, with a perfectly timed shot, firing the ball low into the far corner.
This calmed the home side and what followed showed why Sheffield United were failing. Newcastle scored five points and could have turned them into double figures as they ran riot in the second half. Isak scored the second penalty and the only slight disappointment at the end was that he missed out on his first hat-trick for the club.
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