Alexander Isak made a case for being one of the top up-and-coming strikers in the Premier League after an impressive 2022-23 season.
Though he battled an injury-ridden season, he defied the odds in his first year with the club and found success early.
Isak joined Newcastle United from Real Sociedad just before the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
During his time with Real Sociedad, Isak knocked in 44 goals in 132 matches over the course of four seasons. In particular, he recorded a stellar 17 goals and two assists during the 2020-21 season.
The 22-year-old joined the Magpies for a fee of €70 million, which included €5m in add-ons. One of the largest transfers for Newcastle after bringing in Manager Eddie Howe.
“It is a great, historical club that I think anyone would like to play for, with amazing fans,” he said after joining the club last August. “They were a big part of why I came here – and also the club’s project, which is one that I really believe in.”
With so much money being poured into him, the hope was that he would rise to the occasion and help the Magpies as they looked to break past that barrier of being “average”.
Fortunately, he was a key catalyst in doing so.
“It is faster, much more running than in Spain,” said Isak. “It took a while from getting healthy until I was fully trained for the high pace. Then I also performed better, on all levels.”
Although he was knocked out for the first half of the season due to injuries, he propelled himself into the starting lineup once 2023 rolled around.
In the spring he recorded 10 goals and one assist, while also being recognized as the PFA’s fan Player of the Month for March. During that award-winning span, he knocked in four goals through three games, helping lead the Magpies onto a seven-game winning streak.
Well, with him being so good, what is a fair grade for his play?
NT Grade: A-
Newcastle Toons has given him an A-. This comes after a very impactful season, that was only limited by the amount of time he spent on the pitch.
This grade could have easily been an A+ if the Sweden international was not injured for the majority of the beginning of the campaign. If he were to be healthy for the entire season, he could have eclipsed the 20-goal mark and contributed to more assists.
The 2023-24 season will be a massive opportunity for Isak to shine brighter while the team is put heavily into the light of the world as they compete in the Champions League.
If Isak can grow from this season and work hard this offseason, there is no doubt that his grade for next year will not be higher.
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