Michail Antonio reacts to ‘mad’ claims about Newcastle United star

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Alexander Isak is a ‘quality player’ but the Newcastle United forward will not score more goals in the Premier League this season than Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland. 

At least, that is the verdict of Michail Antonio. The West Ham veteran speaking on BBC Sounds about a player who has been at the centre of much debate over the last 24 hours or so. Especially after Rio Ferdinand suggested that he had ‘more to his game than Haaland’ (Vibe with FIVE podcast). 

Only Man City’s irrepressible number nine has scored more in the league (eight) than Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (six) so far in 2023/24. 

And while Antonio is a big fan of the silky Sweden international, he cannot see a world in which Isak overtakes his fellow Scandinavian at the top of the goalscoring charts. 

Alexander Isak can break Newcastle United

“Well, there was some Newcastle fans who said this the other day – and people were destroying them for it – saying that Isak will score more goals than Haaland this year. I saw that and thought it was a bit mad myself,” Antonio argues. 

“There’s levels to it. He’s a quality player, I’m not going to lie to you. The man is sharp. He is sharp, he’s quick, nimble, got great feet. I fouled him myself (during last week’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle at the London Stadium). I had to kick man down! He tried to cut inside and I was like; ‘no, slow your role mate!’. 

“He is quality. But there is a difference in teams. Haaland will get more opportunities and he’s a finisher. It means he’ll get more goals.” 

Isak has six Premier League goals already

Antonio has a point.

For all of Newcastle’s qualities in the final third, imagine how many more chances Isak would be served up if he had Bernardo Silva, Jeremie Doku, Jack Grealish, Kevin de Bruyne and co bringing a buffet to his table.

Then again, while the Golden Boot may be beyond Isak, a place in Newcastle’s history books might not be. The first Magpie to score 20 goals in a Premier League season since Alan Shearer? Don’t rule it out.