Newcastle United return to action against Manchester United on Sunday, and Alan Shearer believes Alexander Isak simply has to start for the Magpies.
Eddie Howe has started Isak for the previous two Premier League games, with the 23-year-old scoring three goals to ensure Newcastle put six points on the board. His efforts have propelled us right back into the Champions League conversation.
Isak has since been away on international duty with Sweden, while Newcastle teammate Callum Wilson has been building up his fitness after suffering with illness.
That gives Howe a decision to make when picking his starting XI to face Man United, but Shearer believes there is no way Isak will not be chosen to lead the line.
Alan Shearer says Alexander Isak will start against Manchester United
Toon legend Shearer has spoke to the Athletic about Isak’s incredible form, and believes he is now undroppable.
“The manager can’t leave him out now,” he said.
“Not with the form he’s in, the quality he’s shown, the goals he’s scored and how dangerous he looks. The Forest performance really demonstrated what he’s all about.”
There is no arguing with Shearer. Isak has proven his fitness, he is getting sharper, and it is resulting in better performances. This is the best we have seen him in a Toon shirt, and there is no way Howe can put him back on the bench.
Isak will be keen to pick up where he left off, and could be vital in us getting a result against the Red Devils. Pundit Chris Sutton thinks so, with the former striker tipping the Swede to make the difference on Sunday.
Shearer likens him to Mo Salah
Shearer then went into more detail about his admiration for Newcastle’s record signing, and explained why he is more like Mo Salah than Erling Haaland.
“He’s a prime example of what I would call a modern forward, more in the mould of a Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, rather than a Haaland, who is the definition of a number nine,” he said.
“Alexander is an athlete — a gymnast, really — as he’s nimble, quick and very good on the ball, able to bring others into the game. He’s very different to Callum, who’s more of a poacher, a goalscorer, a centre-forward.”
Isak is very much a modern striker. He is not a poacher like Haaland, who is the Premier League’s leading scorer this season with 28 goals.
Being compared to Salah is not bad for Isak, as the Liverpool man is one of the best players in the world. He has provided 33 goal contributions this season, which is not bad considering this is meant to be a poor campaign for the 30-year-old.
Everywhere you turn, Isak is being showered with praise. Shearer thinks he is similar forward to Salah and Sadio Mane, while Newcastle coaches are likening him to Arsenal icon Thierry Henry.
It highlights how lucky we are to have him, and hopefully he continues his rich vein of form against Manchester United on Sunday.
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