Is Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson still better than Alexander Isak?
By Cade Cracas
Normally it is a good thing if a team has an abundance of talent on their roster, but for Newcastle United, it might be an issue.
Both of the club’s strikers, Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak have been phenomenal this season when given their respective opportunities to excel. Wilson has always been the main man at the helm, but Isak has recently emerged as a rising star.
Well, who is better, Isak or Wilson?
For starters, both are great players and fill their respective roles correctly, but Newcastle’s Manager Eddie Howe has a strict system. That system relies on speedy, agile and athletic forwards that put pressure on opposing defenses.
Isak fills that role very well, and in recent weeks he’s been red-hot with his play.
“Yeah, certainly it does. I think he’s growing and learning and developing all the time,” said Howe after Isak’s two-goal performance against Nottingham Forest. “I was pleased with his introduction. That’s a good sign for the future for us.”
Even though the system lends its hand to Isak more than it does Wilson, he still has thrived due to his talent as a pure finisher.
Since his career began, Wilson has rarely been seen as a versatile forward. His play style relies mostly on those around him, and his ability to finish.
Unfortunately, at times he’s struggled this season finishing the ball, ultimately sliding Isak into the starting role as the season has continued on.
On the season, Wilson has scored 10 goals and had five assists while taking 58 shots. In comparison, Isak has found nine goals and one assist while blasting 45 shots.
The only difference between the two is Wilson has started 21 games and came off the bench for eight, while Isak has started 17 games and came off the bench for eight.
Even with less time played, Isak has merely matched the statistics that Wilson has put up.
In the last five games, Isak has slotted in five goals, directly helping the team on a five-game win streak.
These two have been going back and forth getting starting opportunities for the Magpies, but only one will have the reigns going forward next season.
The most logical option is to continue to grow the rising 23-year-old Isak, and have Wilson back him up for the rest of the 2022-23 season.
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Do you think Newcastle United sticks with Callum Wilson, or Alexander Isak this coming offseason?
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