Summary
Newcastle United won their first domestic trophy in 70 years in March 2025.
Alexander Isak has excelled at Newcastle, firing them to victory in the League Cup
He and Alan Shearer, the Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer, are among the most talented to ever play for the Magpies.
Newcastle United have won the English top-flight title on four occasions, with the last triumph coming in 1927. They came close to a fourth title in the mid-1990s, finishing second behind Manchester United twice while playing a swashbuckling style of football under the charismatic management of Kevin Keegan.
The Magpies' 70-year wait for a domestic trophy ended on Sunday 16th March, with Alexander Isak and Dan Burn scoring in a 2-1 win against Liverpool. Since joining the club in 2022, Isak has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League, leading to transfer interest from Europe's elite clubs. Here is a closer look at the top 10 most talented players in Newcastle's history.
Ranking factors
Significant impact during their time at the club: Even if it was a short stint, they impressed supporters and fellow players with their talent.
Memorable moments: Goals in big moments and matches.
Overall career: Talented players who have enjoyed success, not only at Newcastle.
Top 10 'Most Talented' Newcastle Players
Rank
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
10 Papiss Cisse
2012-2016
Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse
Papiss Cisse joined Newcastle in January 2012, linking up with his fellow countryman Demba Ba. He enjoyed a remarkable second half of the season, scoring 13 goals in 14 Premier League matches, firing Alan Pardew's side to fifth in the table. This included a 37-yard wonder strike against Chelsea, which saw him hit a half-volley with the outside of his right foot into the top corner past Petr Cech.
Injury issues plagued the end of Cisse's Newcastle career, but he left the club having scored 44 goals in 131 appearances. His performances in the 2011/12 season were some of the best for Newcastle in the Premier League era.
9 Faustino Asprilla
1996-1998
Faustino Asprilla
Faustino Asprilla was a popular member of the Newcastle squad who finished twice in a row in the mid-1990s. His iconic arrival in a woolen coat in the snow was a sign of things to come, and he had a number of memorable moments during his time on Tyneside.
Asprilla's best moment in the black and white jersey came in the 1997/98 Champions League against Barcelona. He scored a hat-trick against the Catalan giants, which were his last goals for Newcastle. The Colombian striker left to rejoin Parma in 1998, having scored 18 goals and registered 19 assists in 63 appearances.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe Related
Newcastle Eyeing Marquee Move for 'One of the Best Players in the World'
Newcastle are reportedly eyeing a huge summer swoop for the 28-year-old winger.
8 Hatem Ben Arfa
2011-2015
Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa was a player with significant potential and ability early in his career. He joined the France squad while playing for Lyon at the age of 20 and impressed on his debut, scoring against the Faroe Islands. After three years at Marseille, the French attacking midfielder joined Newcastle in 2011.
He spent four years at Newcastle and although injuries disrupted a lot of his time in the Premier League, Ben Arfa was one of the most talented players in the division when he was fit. He scored 14 goals and registered 15 assists in all competitions for the Magpies, including a goal against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup that was nominated for the Puskas Award.
7 Bruno Guimares
2022-Current
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes celebrating
Since joining Newcastle in January 2022, Bruno Guimares has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The Brazilian can play as a six or in an advanced number eight role. His versatility, passion and ability on and off the ball has helped the Magpies go from relegation contenders to Champions League contenders in the space of a few years.
Guimares captained Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, which saw Eddie Howe's side run out 2-1 winners. Given his contribution to Newcastle, there will no doubt be transfer interest in the midfielder in the next couple of years, but he will be keen to add to his trophy haul on Tyneside.
Newcastle United Related
Former Newcastle United Player to Receive Carabao Cup Medal Despite Leaving Club
Newcastle United secured their first trophy in 70 years on Sunday afternoon and are set to honour a former player who played a role in their success.
6 Andy Cole
1993-1995
MixCollage-25-Jul-2024-05-11-PM-8531
Andy Cole enjoyed an extremely successful spell at Newcastle, scoring 68 goals in 84 appearances. He joined in February 1993 and helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League. In the 1993/94 Premier League campaign, Cole was one of the standout players in the division, scoring 34 in 40 games, which meant he was given the PFA Young Player of the Year.
After continued success for Newcastle under Keegan, Cole's performances attracted the interest of Sir Alex Ferguson. In January 1995, the English striker controversially moved to Old Trafford in a deal worth up to £7 million, which was unpopular with the club's supporters.
5 Paul Gascoigne
1985-1988
Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne only spent three years at Newcastle between 1985 and 1988. He came through the academy ranks at St James' Park and captained the team that lifted the FA Youth Cup in 1984/85.
The English midfielder broke into the first-team at the age of 17 and went on to make 92 appearances for the club, scoring 21 times. His form for his boyhood club meant he was signed by Tottenham Hotspur for a then-British record transfer fee of £2.2 million. He went on to have an impressive career, winning the FA Cup for Spurs in 1991 and coming close to major tournament glory for England at the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1996.
Paul Gascoigne at Newcastle United
Appearances
Goals
Notable Achievements
4 David Ginola
1995-1997
David Ginola
David Ginola's time at Newcastle was brief, but he was a key part of the team that finished second in the Premier League twice behind United. His performances under Keegan led to significant transfer interest from Barcelona in 1996, but Newcastle refused to sell one of their star men.
He left the club to join Spurs in the summer of 1997 for £2.5 million, having scored seven and registered 16 assists in 76 appearances. One of his most memorable goals for the club came in Newcastle's 5-0 win against Ferguson's side at St James' Park. He received the ball on the edge of the box before shrugging off a defender and curling the ball into the top corner.
3 Kevin Keegan
1982-1984
MixCollage-25-Jul-2024-05-20-PM-1530
Keegan first arrived at Newcastle in 1982, and as already mentioned, he returned as the club's manager on two occasions, in 1992 and 2008. He played under 100 matches during his career with Newcastle United, but his impact was a significant one.
Keegan scored 48 goals in 78 matches for Newcastle - quickly becoming a club legend. In fact, in the two seasons he played on Tyneside, he was named the Magpies' Player of the Year both times.
The English winger enjoyed a successful playing career elsewhere, winning the Ballon d'Or two years in a row while playing for Hamburg. As well as this, he won the European Cup and three league titles for Liverpool.
|Kevin Keegan at Newcastle United|
|Appearances|78|
|Goals|48|
|Notable Achievements|Newcastle United Player of the Year 1982/83 & 1983/84|
|---|
2 Alexander Isak
2022-Current
Alexander Isak celebrating after scoring for Newcastle United
Alexander Isak joined Newcastle with a big reputation, signing from Real Sociedad for a club transfer record of £63 million. He quickly made his mark, scoring at Anfield against Liverpool in a 2-1 defeat. In his first season on Tyneside, he helped Howe's side qualify for the Champions League, finishing in fourth behind Manchester City, Arsenal and United.
The Swedish striker has continued to impress since, scoring 58 and registering nine assists in 100 appearances. He scored the second in Newcastle's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool and will be key to the future success of the club. Whether they can keep him amid transfer speculation from other clubs across Europe remains to be seen, but Isak is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in world football right now.
1 Alan Shearer
1996-2006
Alan Shearer celebrates scoring for Newcastle United.
First on this list had to be Alan Shearer. He is the Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer with 260 and is a club legend, having played for Newcastle for 10 years between 1996 and 2006. The English striker never got his hands on silverware for his boyhood club, losing two consecutive FA Cup finals in 1998 and 1999.
Shearer scored 206 goals for Newcastle, meaning he is the club's all-time top goalscorer. His last strike came against arch-rivals Sunderland in a 4-1 win in April 2006. The three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner is undoubtedly the most talented player to put on a Newcastle shirt.
Alan Shearer at Newcastle United
Appearances
Goals
Notable Achievements
Alan Shearer Newcastle Related
‘I Played For Newcastle With Alan Shearer - He Didn’t Speak to Me For Two Weeks’
A Newcastle United legend, Alan Shearer certainly was not one for warm introductions to new faces.
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt - correct as of 22/03/25.