Alexander Isak ‘on another level’ as Prem legend hails Newcastle transfers

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Former Premier League winner Martin Keown is a big fan of Alexander Isak with the £60 million record signing starting to make a real impact under Eddie Howe at Newcastle United.

Aston Villa are enjoying a run of six wins in seven league games under Unai Emery. But any hopes they may have of maintaining that remarkable purple patch – while boosting their hopes of a long-awaited top-half finish – will likely come under serious threat as Eddie Howe’s Champions League-chasers ride into town this weekend. 

Newcastle are one of only a few sides capable of matching Aston Villa’s current form. The battle between Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak, meanwhile, promises to be a straight shoot-out between two dead-eyed gunslingers with a scent for blood. 

Watkins cannot stop scoring under Emery. Isak, meanwhile, has taken his game to ‘another level’ since the World Cup break. His glorious winner against Brentford last time out as Isak’s eighth in just nine Premier League starts.

And, for Arsenal icon Keown, Newcastle’s transformation from relegation-battlers to top-four challengers is testament not only to Howe’s expert management but also some inspired acquisitions; Isak only one piece of the jigsaw. 

Alexander Isak shining at Newcastle United

“It’s a very different Newcastle United now, and it’s all credit to Eddie Howe,” Keown tells talkSPORT (14 April, 12.40pm). 

“You look at Miguel Almiron, you look at Joelinton. (Joe) Willock now as well. Bruno Guimaraes, I like in midfield. He just dominates games.

“And Isak is on another level. Really clever signings.”

Newcastle paid a club-record £60 million to sign Isak from Real Sociedad. But, while eyebrows were raised at the time, the spring-heeled Swede has already scored more league goals this season than he managed across the entirety of 2021/22 in La Liga (six). 

Keown is backing Isak’s Newcastle to take one giant step towards Champions League qualification this weekend. Consigning Villa to a first home defeat since Arsenal in February in the process. 

“Five wins on the bounce,” Keown adds. “You are coming into this game full of confidence. I think they will get tested by Villa, but I think Newcastle will win. There is a real momentum about them at the moment.”