The Swedish striker's record eclipses even that of Alan Shearer
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Newcastle United's Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has been in sensational form for Newcastle
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Every Newcastle United in the modern era will always be held up to the standards set by Alan Shearer. The legendary No 9 has set the bar for all that follow him in a black-and-white shirt, and it's a high one.
It's difficult to imagine his club record of 206 goals for his boyhood club will ever be broken, with the former England captain leading the line for an incredible 10 seasons at St James' Park.
Just think what he could have done without two major knee injuries which seriously curtailed his gametime. Both times he recovered, adapted his game, and came back just as dangerous.
But even Big Al's stats don't quite match up to the current goal hero. Alexander Isak has already done something Shearer couldn't quite manage, scoring 20+ Premier League goals in consecutive seasons for Newcastle.
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has already scored 54 Premier League goals
Shearer achieved that four times for United - 1996-97, 1999-2000, 2001-02 and 2003-04 - but never in consecutive years, although he scored 30+ goals in THREE consecutive season while at Blackburn.
Isak has just completed his third season on Tyneside, and incredibly has again got the edge over Shearer when it comes to comparing the same spells.
The Swede has now scored 54 goals in 86 appearances for United, contributing 10 assists in 6,566 minutes of action since signing from Real Sociedad in 2022.
Shearer's first three seasons saw him pick up his first cruciate knee injury, but he still managed 41 goals in 78 games - and an impressive 13 assists.
Alan Shearer of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his first goal for the Magpies in 1996
Alan Shearer of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his first goal for the Magpies in 1996
What's more, he actually played more minutes that Isak - 6,764 - in his first three years at St James' Park since that world-recored £15m transfer. Isak's first season was plagued by injuries too, although he managed 10 goals in just 22 PL games.
Isak has a long way to go before he even gets close to Shearer's achievements for the club, and Newcastle will be well aware that they need to continue to match his ambition to keep him on Tyneside.
Liverpool are keen on a mega-bucks deal for the Swede this summer, and while United remain confident of negotiating a new deal for the 25-year-old, they know transfer speculation will continue.
However, if anyone is in any doubt over his contribution to Eddie Howe's side, the comparison with United's greatest ever No 9 underlines just what a phenomenal goal presence he is for this squad.