As is always the case with Eddie Howe, so many Newcastle United players have improved this season.
The Newcastle United manager is a master at making his players better, and it has been the foundation for his success at St James’ Park.
Anthony Gordon has been Eddie Howe‘s biggest success story. The 23-year-old was not great when he first arrived last season, but he was always viewed as a player for the following year.
Throughout the 2023/24 campaign, Gordon has been so reliable for the Magpies. He has been a regular source of goals and assists, boasting 22 goal contributions in all competitions.
Alexander Isak has improved in a Newcastle United shirt
Another player who has improved is Alexander Isak, who is Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever at £63million.
He is also the club’s top scorer this season, with Isak finding the net 23 times in all competitions. 20 of his goals have come in the Premier League, and he will hope to add to that tally in Newcastle’s remaining three fixtures.
The 24-year-old has been incredible in black and white, and has now been recognised for his efforts by the Premier League. He has been nominated for Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season.
Whether or not he wins either remains to be seen, but it has certainly been a special year for Isak. And pundit Ben Foster actually thinks that next season could be even better for the Sweden international.
Ben Foster thinks there is even more to come from Alexander Isak
Foster has been speaking to the Premier League YouTube channel about Isak, after he was nominated for the Young Player of the Season award.
“I love this guy,” he said.
“I love him. He always plays with a smile on his face. He got the season off to a belter with that first game against Aston Villa.
“What I really like about him is the different goals that he can score and how good he is at sorting his feet out in the big moments. He’s always in control and can get his body in the right place so that he can always bend the ball into that corner.
“He’s absolutely lightening quick as well. I love watching him.”
Presenter Kenzie Benali then asked Foster about Isak handling the pressure of being a Newcastle United striker.
He replied: “Without a doubt he’s embraced it [the challenge]. The beauty of what he is able to offer is that he will tailor his game for each opponent that he plays against. He will look at the defender he is coming up against, and if it’s someone like Virgil van Dijk he’ll think ‘I’m not getting involved in that physical tussle today, I’ll approach it slightly differently’. Whereas if he’s playing against a rapid defender, he might play a different style again. That’s the IQ we’re talking about. This season he’s had a couple of little injuries, but they haven’t kept him out long, and I think that’s why we’re starting to see the best of him. And I think next season he’s going to get better again as well.”
How Isak can get even better for Newcastle
After scoring more than 20 goals this season for the first time in his career, Foster thinks Isak is capable of even more next year.
That is a tantalising prospect, and there are a couple of factors that could help that become a reality.
Firstly, Isak needs to get over whatever fitness issues he has. The forward has had a recurring hamstring problem that has hindered his campaign and limited his minutes at times. He appears to be over it for now, but there is always a fear that he could break down again.
To get over it fully, Newcastle need to give him more support. Had Callum Wilson been available more this season, Isak would not have been relied on as much. There have been spells when he has constantly been playing 90 minutes every few days, and it resulted in a dip in form.
For Isak to do even better next season, he needs more support. That should end his injury issues, and lead to him scoring even more goals for Newcastle United.
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