Former Newcastle United defender Warren Barton has ranked Sweden international of Eritrean descent Alexander Isak among the top five striker in Europe at the moment.
Isak has become one of the standout revelations of 2024 in the English Premier League, with the 25-year-old attacker scoring 24 goals and delivering 6 assists from 36 appearances.
The enterprising attacker has performed admirably and has emerged as a top transfer target for several clubs including Barcelona.
“He’s going to be the future number nine for the club as well,” Warren Barton said in an exclusive interview with Dailysports. “As a striker, he is in the top five in the world – there is no doubt. You would put Mohamed Salah in there with the goals that he’s scoring. Erling Haaland is having a difficult season, but he’s in that conversation.”
Meanwhile, Barton believes Isak still has a long way to go to reach Alan Shearer’s greatness.
The former England star had a ten years spell with Newcastle, making over 400 appearances and scoring 206 goals.
Isak’s statistics for the team from St. James’ Park are much more modest: 102 matches and 59 goals.
“Alan is on a different level, which is why he has a statute, but Isak is in the top five strikers in Europe at the moment.
He is a pleasure to watch, and when I speak to people at the club, they say he’s great to be around as well, so that is always refreshing to hear”
