Is Isak one of the best strikers in Europe? How does the Newcastle striker rank among Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski

Alexander Isak is on a remarkable run of form in front of goal and has helped Newcastle break into the top four of the Premier League. As Europe's elite frontmen soon return to UEFA Champions League action, there is no better time to look at the stats and decide if the Swede can be compared among the best strikers in Europe, such as Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.

Highlights: Ruthless Isak fires Newcastle into top four with Wolves win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Since arriving at Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund, Erling Haaland has established himself as the best striker in the Premier League and one of the finest in Europe.

However, the Norwegian international has a new challenger this season, following the impressive rise to form of Newcastle's Swedish sensation Alexander Isak.

The 25-year-old is amid a remarkable run of goalscoring form, having found the back of the net at least once in each of his last eight league fixtures, ahead of the visit of Bournemouth - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Premier League

How to watch Forest v Arsenal on TNT Sports and discovery+

10/09/2025 at 16:42

His performances have fired the Magpies into the top four and led to TNT Sports pundit Ally McCoist labelling him the best all-around striker in England.

"I’ll take it a step further, I think Isak might be the best all-around centre forward in the league at this moment," he said. "I just like the style of his play. I think he gets in behind. I think he’s all-around. He’s just a very, very intelligent player."

Highlights: Ruthless Isak fires Newcastle into top four with Wolves win

Video credit: TNT Sports

McCoist is not alone in his admiration for Isak.

Newcastle legend Shay Given watched on as the forward scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season in the week to inspire Newcastle to a 3-0 victory over Wolves.

There have been reports linking Isak with a move away from St James' Park recently, but Given insists Eddie Howe's side should reject any bid for his services.

"I don't think he is going anywhere at the moment; he is priceless," said Given. "I don't think [Newcastle would sell] at any price.

"People are talking about £150 million to buy him. Even if you put that on the table, they still would not be able to get him."

So, what do the stats show? Is Isak on the verge of ending Haaland's hegemony over the title of the best striker in Europe?

What do the stats say?

It would be fair to say that Premier League champions City have been well below par this season, with Pep Guardiola's side sitting in sixth in the Premier League table.

However, Haaland has still been a shining light, and is the joint-second top scorer in Europe's top five leagues with 16 goals, level with Robert Lewandowski and two fewer than Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah.

Stats Perform's analysis of the players with 13+ goals in Europe's top five leagues suggests Isak is comparable to Haaland and Lewandowski by almost every metric.

'Not really looking at records' - Isak not thinking about Vardy scoring streak

Video credit: TNT Sports

Isak has five assists compared to Haaland's one, putting him among the most creative strikers in Europe.

By Stats Perform's criteria, Omar Marmoush is the only centre-forward with more assists than the Swede.

That leaves Isak with 20 goal contributions overall, again the second-highest of any striker in Europe's top five leagues behind Marmoush.

The Magpies forward also gets more bang for his buck, with an xG of just 12.5 and a shot conversion rate of 25.9%.

His shot conversion rate suggests he has been more clinical than Haaland (18.8%) or Lewandowski (25%).

Furthermore, his low xG means that he has scored 2.5 goals more than he would have expected to given the chances he has had.

Speaking to cows, favourite trophy and best Man City goal – 20 Questions with Erling Haaland

Video credit: TNT Sports

Compare that to Haaland, who has an xG of 16.3, or Lewandowski, who has 16 goals to his name but an xG of 17.3, and clearly Isak is as dangerous a goal threat as any in Europe's top five leagues.

Haaland is still an absolute man-mountain in the air, having won 35 aerial duels, the second-highest amongst players who meet Stats Perform's criteria, behind Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood.

Isak has won just 17 aerial duels and has a fairly average aerial duel success percentage of 35.4%. But when it comes to pressing, Isak's qualities shine among the elite.

The Swede has won possession in the final third 11 times so far this season, twice more than Lewandowski and four times more than Haaland.

In short, Isak's all-around game has always been comparable with some of the finest strikers European football has to offer.

Now the Magpie has the goalscoring record to match and with Haaland having a relatively dry season and Lewandowski deep into the twilight of his career, this could be his chance to establish himself at the top.

Is there more to come?

Isak has already turned Newcastle's season around, taking them from mid-table to UEFA Champions League contenders in a matter of months.

His all-around contribution has been as important as his goal threat, but the Magpies forward insists there is more to come from him.

‘Everyone tells me he is’ – Howe on whether Isak is ‘most sought after striker in Europe’

Video credit: TNT Sports

He set the target of becoming the best striker in the world during an exclusive interview with TNT Sports pundit Peter Crouch, who himself did not have a bad all-around game.

Isak still has a long way to go and will have to perform at the highest level for several years rather than several months if he wants to call himself the best in Europe.

However, there is a new kid on the block, and he is coming for the crown.

- - -

Stream the 2024-25 Premier League live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers