Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer has made a sensational claim about Swedish striker Alexander Isak, suggesting the 23-year-old could become the club's best-ever signing if he maintains his current form.
The Premier League's record goalscorer heaped praise on Isak after his match-winning performance against Brentford, where the £60m forward netted his sixth goal in just seven appearances this season.
Shearer Sees Shades of Himself in Isak
"When you look at what he's capable of, his movement, his finishing, his all-round game - he's got absolutely everything," Shearer told BBC Sport. "If he stays fit and continues this trajectory, we could be talking about Newcastle's greatest ever signing."
The comparison carries significant weight coming from Shearer, who remains Newcastle's all-time top scorer with 206 goals during his decade at St James' Park.
Stat Comparison Shows Striking Similarities
Through their first 30 Premier League appearances:
- Isak: 18 goals, 2 assists
- Shearer: 16 goals, 5 assists
The statistics reveal Isak is actually outperforming Shearer's early Newcastle numbers, though the Geordie legend went on to score 31 goals in his first full season after joining from Blackburn.
Eddie Howe's Masterstroke
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe deserves immense credit for Isak's development since his club-record transfer from Real Sociedad in August 2022. After an injury-disrupted first season, the Swedish international has flourished in Howe's system this campaign.
"Eddie's built the team around his strengths," Shearer observed. "The service from Bruno Guimarães and Kieran Trippier is perfect for his game. He's becoming the complete modern striker."
What Makes Isak Special?
- Clinical finishing - converts 24% of chances
- Pace and power - terrorises defenders
- Aerial ability - wins 63% of duels
- Technical quality - comfortable in build-up play
With Newcastle pushing for Champions League qualification again this season, Isak's form could prove decisive in their quest for silverware.
