Eddie Howe has hailed Alexander Isak as world class after the forward’s double in Newcastle’s 5-1 win over Sheffield United.
Isak has now scored in seven straight games at St James’ Park and took his tally to 23 goals for the campaign in all competitions with a brace against the Blades.
The Swedish striker has struck 19 times in the Premier League and is now just one adrift of Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer in the race for the division’s Golden Boot.
Isak is the first Newcastle player to have reached 20+ goals in all competitions in a top-flight season since Alan Shearer in 2003/04 and Howe believes the 24-year-old is a world-class talent.
He insisted he would not swap the in-form forward, who has been linked with Arsenal, for any other player in Europe.
“I think he is, yes, I think he is,” Howe said in his post-match press conference when asked if Isak was world class.
“For me, I think the biggest thing is would I swap him with anybody else? No, I wouldn’t. When you look at his age profile and what’s to come, you look at his attributes and his qualities, he’s some talent.
“I think we should just enjoy his performances, how he’s playing at the moment.
“He’s full of confidence, he looks physically in a really good place and I just think it’s a great thing to watch him play currently.”
