Chelsea would have been watching on with interest when Newcastle United slapped Tottenham Hotspur up on Saturday.
Eddie Howe’s side, despite having to deal with a depleted and injury-hit squad, beat Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs 4-0.
A brace from Alexander Isak, three-goal involvements from Anthony Gordon and another goal from Fabian Schar sealed the deal for Newcastle United.
What’s interesting here is that Chelsea, who have two games in hand ahead of their clash against Everton on Monday night, are now six points behind sixth-placed Newcastle in their quest to secure European football.
You feel Mauricio Pochettino securing a European finish and/or winning the FA Cup could have a big bearing on his future, some players want to see him replaced.
That reliable striker or goalscorer is needed, with sources telling HITC Football that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen remains Chelsea’s top target, but Newcastle’s Isak is also on their transfer radar also.
Alan Shearer lauded and applauded the 24-year-old’s performance from the weekend and how he is a ‘really talented and wonderful player’, as he told Premier League Productions (13/04/24 at 2:30 pm).
The Swedish star netted a brace to take his Premier League goals tally for the season to 17 – three behind the current Golden Boot leader, Erling Haaland.
He is proving to be one of the best forwards in the league, with a natural finishing ability and incredible ball-carrying skills, which is proving to be a ‘nightmare’ for the opposition.
Alexander Isak’s brace for Newcastle United downs Tottenham
“He’s a really talented and wonderful player,” said Shearer. “The hard part is trying to keep him fit.
“But when he is on the pitch, he is a great talent and a nightmare for defenders because he can go either way. A very clever finisher. Technically he is excellent and good in the air. He is just another really good all-round centre-forward.”
Chelsea can only dream of a player like Alexander Isak
There is still every chance that Chelsea can finish above Newcastle, especially if they win their games in hand and end the season strongly.
But even then, they would still probably struggle to secure a player of Isak’s talents, even though he is on their transfer radar.
Newcastle paid record amounts for him. He is one of their best players and someone who can fire them to the Champions League again next season.
First off, you don’t sell a player like that, and if you do, it’s for double what you paid.
And whilst Chelsea have spent stupid money since the new takeover, even they aren’t that stupid to do it again!
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