Newcastle United fans are breathing a sigh of relief as Alexander Isak seems to have turned a corner in his form. After a difficult start to the season, during which the club’s record signing struggled to find his rhythm, Isak has once again become a pivotal figure in Eddie Howe’s squad. His recent run of good form, scoring in four consecutive matches across all competitions, has reignited hopes that the 25-year-old can live up to his billing as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young strikers.
At the start of the season, expectations were sky-high for Isak. The Swedish international had been tipped by many to challenge the likes of Erling Haaland for the Premier League Golden Boot. However, things didn’t go as planned. After a quiet beginning, Isak suffered a toe injury that sidelined him for a stretch of games, further delaying his return to form. It was a frustrating period, not just for Isak, but for the team and fans who had hoped for an immediate impact from their record-breaking signing.
But now, fully recovered and seemingly back to his best, Isak’s resurgence has been nothing short of a welcome sight for Newcastle. His impressive goal-scoring run includes some crucial strikes, and had it not been for a controversial VAR decision, Isak could have been sitting on a perfect six goals in six games for both club and country. On Tuesday night, Isak thought he had scored for Sweden in their Euro 2024 qualifier, only for the goal to be disallowed, much to his frustration. Despite this setback, his performances continue to prove that he is back on track, and it’s clear that Newcastle’s attack is much more potent with him in the side.
However, as much as Isak’s revival is a cause for celebration, there’s an undercurrent of concern hanging over his fitness. Former Newcastle United star Rob Lee has expressed his worry about the striker’s injury history and the potential consequences for the team if Isak were to suffer another setback. Lee, speaking to The Chronicle, stated that while Newcastle have other attacking options, Isak’s continued availability is crucial. “We currently have players who can score goals, but if Alexander Isak gets injured, we are in trouble,” Lee said. “I’d like to see us get somebody else in January. I’m sure Eddie Howe will feel the same way.”
The looming threat of further injuries to Isak highlights a key issue for Newcastle United. While Callum Wilson is also capable of leading the line and finding the net, his own injury woes have been a constant concern since his arrival at St James’ Park. Wilson’s return to fitness would certainly help alleviate some of the pressure on Isak, but as Lee pointed out, there is always the looming risk of another fitness setback for the veteran striker. Given Wilson’s injury-prone nature, the club can’t afford to rely solely on him if Isak were to miss more time.
This has led to growing calls for Newcastle to bolster their attacking options in the January transfer window. Rob Lee is one of many who believes the club needs to act sooner rather than later to secure another forward. “It’s a risk we cannot afford to take,” he added. “I think we need to strengthen in the January window to cover all bases.” The January transfer market offers a critical opportunity to reinforce the squad and avoid relying too heavily on an injury-prone duo. With the club’s ambitions in both domestic and European competitions growing, adding another striker would provide essential depth.
While Newcastle United’s leadership, including sporting director Paul Mitchell, has been carefully monitoring potential targets for the 2025 season, the immediate concern remains: how do they deal with the prospect of losing Isak or Wilson for an extended period? The financial constraints imposed by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) mean that any new signing will be difficult, especially as the club also has other pressing needs. In addition to a forward, Newcastle are reportedly eyeing a winger and a centre-back, and their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is expected to continue into the winter window.
This financial balancing act could mean that, despite Rob Lee’s calls for immediate action, a new striker might have to wait until the summer. If that happens, the club’s hopes will rest squarely on Isak’s fitness for the remainder of the season. The fear, of course, is that another injury could derail the club’s progress at a critical juncture.
With Isak finding form at the right time, Newcastle United must take every precaution to ensure that he remains healthy for the long term. His performances could be key in determining whether the club is able to secure a top-four finish, challenge for silverware, or even make a deep run in European competitions.
For now, the focus will be on enjoying Isak’s fine performances while keeping a wary eye on the club’s injury situation. As Newcastle’s ambitions continue to grow, the need for squad depth will only increase, and the winter transfer window could prove to be a vital turning point in the club’s pursuit of long-term success. Fans will be hoping that, despite the financial constraints and the complex transfer landscape, Newcastle can find a way to add the depth they need to keep their striker options strong and avoid being caught short in the second half of the season.
