Heading into a clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on October 27, Isak had just one Premier League goal to his name from six appearances, and seemed to be struggling for rhythm. But he found the target in the 2-1 defeat against the Blues, which seemed to snap him back into life.

That was the first of 14 goals he has scored in his last 13 league outings, and Isak was on the scoresheet for the eighth game in a row on Wednesday as he hit a brace in the 3-0 win over Wolves, breaking a club record he previously shared with Alan Shearer and Joe Willock.

Isak is now only three games away from equalling Jamie Vardy’s historic 11-game scoring streak for Leicester City back in 2015, and only a fool would bet against him. On current form, the Sweden international has a strong case for the title of best centre-forward in Europe.

That’s not just because of his prolific strike-rate either. Isak also set up Anthony Gordon to round off the scoring against Wolves, bringing his tally of assists to five this term, and his work off the ball has been essential to Newcastle’s improvement as a collective.

“He is the complete striker,” Newcastle legend Shearer said on BBC Match of the Day. “He is in red-hot form. No-one can stop him. He has got this belief and confidence and there is no doubt that he has the ability. He does his bit defensively, which he has to do in that Newcastle team. Everything about his game is great. He is just so tough to mark.”

Some teams have been able to limit Newcastle’s effectiveness from the flanks, but Isak is talented and confident enough to create chances for himself in the tighter matches. He’s got more to his game than a pure goal-scorer like Erling Haaland, who rarely gets involved in Man City’s build-up play; Isak will drop deep or drift wide to get on the ball when he’s being starved of service.

The former Real Sociedad star has remarkably quick feet for a big man, his link-up play is excellent, and it’s impossible to knock him off the ball when he’s infull flow. Isak’s powerful yet elegant style of play has even seen him draw regular comparisons to another of the Premier League’s greatest No.14s, Thierry Henry, and one of the Arsenal icon’s former team-mates believes they are fully justified.

“He is comfortable everywhere on the pitch. The ability to rotate positions and occupy every role in a frontline is part of what makes him a constant t

hreat. For me he is the closest thing we have seen to another Thierry Henry,” ex-Arsenal winger Theo Walcott told in November. “Henry started out wide, so he knew that role very well, and Isak’s pace and strength means he is excellent in those areas too. I would say he is this generation’s Henry.”

There is a very good chance that Newcastle’s winning run will continue though to the start of February at least, with favourable games against Bournemouth, Southampton and Fulham up next, and maximum points could potentially see them leapfrog second-placed Arsenal. Howe’s troops are nine points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more, but the Reds have drawn their last two, and Newcastle are powering through all-comers like a freight train.

When asked if the gap is insurmountable, Shearer replied in his latest Match of the Day appearance: “No it’s not. The form they’re in, the way they’re

looking – defensively solid, clean sheets. Midfield – there’s no doubt they’ve got the system going, and with [Alexander Isak] up front, they’ve got a chance.” He’s absolutely right, Newcastle are the definition of dark horses, especially since they have no European football to distract them.

There are no weaknesses in Howe’s starting XI, and in

Isak he has the most potent weapon in the Premier League. It has been reported that the club now value Isak at £150 million ($184m), with Arsenal reportedly set to test Newcastle’s resolve in the summer, but Shearer believes the 25-year-old should be completely off limits regardless of any potential offers.

“Who are they gonna go out and get that would come into Newcastle and do a similar job? We know that centre-forward is the most important position,” he said on the Rest is Football podcast. “They are really difficult to find so when you’ve got a bloody good one, why do you want to let him go for any price?”

The St James’ Park boardroom team would do well to heed that warning. Isak is doing a flawless job of spearheading a Newcastle team that could very well challenge for the biggest trophies come May, and in the years to come.

Article from: https://goal.com/