Eddie Howe admits he is ‘really excited’ to learn what the future holds for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak with the striker starting to make a real impact in the Premier League.
He might not be the most prolific forward in world football. But Isak certainly appears to possess that always-useful knack for popping up in the right place and at precisely the right time.
His goals alone have earned Newcastle seven points so far this term. The £63 million Sweden international netted an equaliser against Bournemouth, a winner against Fulham and, last time out, a last-gasp penalty to see off Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
In fact, despite suffering from injury, Isak has six in just seven Premier League starts. Imagine what the former Real Sociedad speedster can do when fully fit and totally au fait with life on English soil.
No wonder Howe is ‘excited’.
Eddie Howe thinks Alexander Isak has a great future at Newcastle United
“He’s got himself into a really good place,” beams the Newcastle manager, via The Chronicle. “He is getting fitter every game. His ability has never been in question for us. He’s got raw talent.
“He has a brilliant way about him off the pitch. And, on the pitch, he’s electric and a really exciting player. (Isak) complements what we have, and the players are excited to play with him.
“I’m really excited about the future for him. It’s just the start.”
Isak has overtaken his goals tally from the entirety of last season already, despite starting 19 fewer games.
Plenty of questions were asked about his admittedly-eye-watering price-tag last summer. But with every late winner, with every decisive strike, Isak is threatening to repay that investment with considerable interest.
“I think Isak is a player (who), if he was in my team, then he would start to give me the belief that we can start to do special things,” Arsenal legend Martin Keown tells Football Focus.
“He’s a class above everyone else. Really outstanding right now. He had some injury problems, but now he is in full power.”
Newcastle take on Champions League rivals Manchester United at St James’ Park this Sunday.
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