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'Tried to be quirky' - We disagree over who should win Newcastle United's player of the season

Newcastle United player of the season - this is who our writers chose as their Magpies’ main man for the 2024/25 season.

It really has been the season to end all seasons. Well, almost.

Newcastle United claimed their first domestic trophy in 70 years, first of any (major) sort since 1969 and they’re within one win of ensuring Champions League football returns to Tyneside. It would mark the club’s best return for a season in the modern era - obviously - while running campaigns of the 1950s and early century close, too.

But who is the player who has stood out above it all? Who has shone beyond all others? And who should be the man who walks away as the best of an incredible bunch?

Here at NewcastleWorld, we tried to pick our best - and it’s fair to say there was some minor disagreements about who should take the prize.

Jordan Cronin’s NUFC player of the season

Years at club: ThreeYears at club: Three

Years at club: Three | Getty Images

This season we've had Alexander Isak's goals, Jacob Murphy's assists and Sandro Tonali's unlimited engine but there is one man for me who stands taller, quite literally.

Dan Burn has been Newcastle United's man mountain at the back and largely ever-present too, missing just one Premier League game all season. A leader in every sense of the word, the Blyth-born defender has barely put a foot, or head, wrong all year. While some of his peers appear more flashy at times, Burn has forever remained Newcastle's Mr Consistent, and for me, that should not be overlooked.

From scoring at Wembley to making his England debut, Burn has enjoyed the season of his life. It's stuff of dreams, as they say, but they ain't no dream, it's reality, befitting of a man who deserves everything good that has come his way.

Charlie Bennett’s NUFC player of the season

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United chases the ball during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC at St James' Park on May 11, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United chases the ball during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC at St James' Park on May 11, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United chases the ball during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC at St James' Park on May 11, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While he has not been at his destructive best of late, how could it be anyone else? Alexander Isak.

Isak’s 27 goals - and counting - across all competitions is the most for a Newcastle striker since Alan Shearer in 2003-04. Some may argue context but the truth remains that, without the Swede, the Magpies do not win the Carabao Cup or push for Champions League football.

That nine-game winning run was Isak at his best and some were calling him the standout striker in world football. At just 25, Newcastle have found the striker who can win them the Premier League title.

Speculation has surrounded Isak all season but Newcastle are in a strong negotiating position given his contract situation. And if United return to UEFA’s top table, why would he need to leave? Legendary status on Tyneside was secured the moment he fired past Caoimhin Kelleher at Wembley. All the noises point towards Isak adding to his Newcastle chapter - providing they beat Everton on Sunday.

Liam Kennedy’s player of the season

Alexander Isak of Newcastle celebrates with team mates Jacob Murphy (l) Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali (r) after scoring the first Newcastle goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James' Park on April 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Alexander Isak of Newcastle celebrates with team mates Jacob Murphy (l) Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali (r) after scoring the first Newcastle goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James' Park on April 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Alexander Isak of Newcastle celebrates with team mates Jacob Murphy (l) Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali (r) after scoring the first Newcastle goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James' Park on April 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I tried to be interesting and quirky, knowing who the other guys had chosen before writing my own thoughts. And as much as I want to point towards the likely season-defining switch of Sandro Tonali from a No.8 to a No.6 - and his remarkable, genuinely world class performances in the role - I can’t look past Isak.

Echoing what Charlie said earlier, without his goals, this season just doesn’t happen. He has elevated himself to the top tier of strikers in world football right now with a quite captivating spell of twists, turns, weaves and pure textbook finishing through the winter months into the spring. Aye, his campaign has been bookended by some lesser displays, but that doesn’t, for me, take away his achievement.

Burn has been United’s Steady Eddie, Tonali the catalyst for change. Murphy has been provider-in-chief, but Isak is the Magpies’ finisher extraordinaire - and for that reason, he’s my pick for the award.

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