Latest news with #AlexanderIsak
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Newcastle's players of the season: Burn and Tonali led their team to history
A first domestic trophy in 70 years and a spot in the Champions League for 2025-26 are wrapped up but, obviously, the prize truly craved at Newcastle United is The Athletic's player-of-the-season award. Anthony Gordon ran away with the accolade across 2023-24, but there are many candidates for it a year on. Chris Waugh and George Caulkin debate the merits of five contenders from a historic season (and reach differing verdicts)… Waugh: Last season, Isak scored 25 goals, yet Gordon (rightly) pipped him. This time around, Isak scored 27 times, including 23 in the top flight, making him the first to reach 20 or more goals for Newcastle in successive Premier League campaigns. It's been a strange season for him — he only scored once in the league before October 27 and his form dipped again after the Carabao Cup final win in March — yet those numbers still warrant recognition. Advertisement Caulkin: In any other year, Isak would probably be a no-brainer selection — but this has not been just any other campaign. Isak has not necessarily been brilliant every week, but he was phenomenal during that club-record-equalling nine-game winning run across December and January. Waugh: He's a pleasure to watch as well. When Isak has been on it, he has been borderline unplayable. Arsenal's William Saliba and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk will still be having nightmares about facing him. Caulkin: Without question, Newcastle have one of the best strikers in the world — and that's a great thing to be able to say. Waugh: Isak can score all types of goals, but he has largely relied upon deliveries from a team-mate who has risen from ridicule to remarkable. One of our editors cleverly headlined a piece about their unique understanding as 'provide and conquer'. Murphy supplied seven assists for Isak, which was the most goals somebody laid on for any individual team-mate in this season's Premier League. Caulkin: You identify stories of the season and Murphy is one of many, which is why this is such a great conversation. I'm so pleased Murphy is getting the recognition he deserves. He has been underappreciated and underrated. We always talk about the combination between Alan Shearer and Nolberto Solano, now Isak and Murphy have created their own history. Waugh: Only Mohamed Salah provided more Premier League assists than Murphy's 12. Only Salah and Isak had more goal involvements from December 1 than Murphy's 18. This was the season of Murphy's life. If you'd told me three years ago he would be capable of these figures, I would have laughed at you. He has proven everyone wrong. Caulkin: He had some really difficult moments and he has risen to all those challenges. Like Dan Burn, his career has been a slow burn but after winning at Wembley, they have automatically become legends and proved they're more than good enough. Waugh: Murphy must also be a serious goal-of-the-season contender for that wonderstrike against Crystal Palace in April. If one moment encapsulates how hot he has been in 2025, that's it. Waugh: Football is fickle and we risk applying recency bias. Going back to 'stories of the season', until March, Hall would have been that. He is definitely the club's most-improved player, year on year. Last season, he dropped to fourth-choice left-back behind a centre-half and two right-backs, while he was hooked at half-time in three of his first four starts. Fast-forward a year and he revolutionised that left-back role (before Tino Livramento's excellent form), making himself integral. Advertisement Caulkin: It's felt like a journey for him, and he's still such a young lad (Hall turns 21 in September). The coaching and recruitment staff had seen something in him, but for much of last season, it felt like a forlorn jump. He looked like a boy lost. But the coaching staff and, more importantly, Hall deserve great credit for sticking at it, coming through those tough moments and then standing out by a mile for much of the season. Waugh: In pre-season, the theory was that Hall would compete with Lloyd Kelly at left-back. By the end of the winter transfer window, Kelly had been sold to Juventus, while Hall had established himself as the undisputed first-choice left-back and started 22 consecutive league games before injuring his foot in late February. Given what has happened since, it's easy to forget that when Hall was sidelined and then Gordon got himself suspended, that had a massively deflating effect pre-final because of how important Newcastle's left-sided duo had been. Caulkin: Had Hall stayed fit, he may well have won this. Waugh: So we come to the player who is definitely among the stories of the season, who scored the all-important opener at Wembley and who has probably been the most consistent across the campaign, starting all bar one of Newcastle's league matches. Burn has been so reliable — and often excellent — something he will say is unsurprising, given that he was regularly played in his natural position as a centre-half, rather than at left-back. Caulkin: He's one of the best-value signings in Newcastle's history. Last season was difficult for him, he had his struggles at left-back after he had battled to return early from a broken back. That premature comeback doesn't get recognised enough. But the cliche I use about him is: he plays every game as if it's his first or last. This season, though, has been different. He's always shown leadership but Burn personifies Howe's Newcastle in so many ways because he's fearless, takes responsibility and shows leadership. He's been phenomenal. Advertisement Waugh: He's 'England's Dan Burn' now. Thomas Tuchel summarised it perfectly when he expressed surprise that Burn had never been called up before he did it in March, given his consistency at the top level. Burn was usually among the best performers every week and was even defending well when Newcastle were labouring in the autumn. Caulkin: It's a beautiful story because he's one of our own and he's taken a mazy route to get where he is. Isak was probably born elite, but Burn has had to turn himself into an elite player. This really has been Burn's season. Waugh: For an individual's transformative effect, nobody has had as great an impact as Tonali. He missed the start of the season as he served the final weeks of his 10-month suspension for breaking gambling rules and it then took him weeks to establish himself in the XI. Strangely, once he did, that dream midfield three on paper of Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton just did not quite gel when the Italian was playing further forward, as a No 8. There was a period when it seemed it should be one of Tonali or Guimaraes, not both. Some idiot even wrote about that (although that article was your idea…) Caulkin: But it really did feel like that. It was like a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces didn't fit together. Waugh: When Howe played Tonali deeper, in a No 6 role, against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in October, he excelled. He then did so in the league game at Palace at the end of November and Tonali showed promising signs. The switch with Guimaraes became permanent soon afterwards and it is not coincidental that Newcastle's nine-game winning run followed — and then the team's magnificent form continued almost unbroken until the very end. Tonali makes Newcastle tick. On and off the ball, he sets the tempo. Caulkin: He hasn't necessarily done it for the whole season, but he's an exceptional footballer and altered the course of Newcastle's campaign. He is not an archetypal holding midfielder — he covers so much ground and starts attacks, but then he sprints forward and joins them. Waugh: Tonali is technically-gifted enough to produce special moments — including his non-intentional goal against Brentford — but what impresses me most is how he does the simple things brilliantly. He almost always makes the right decision, and has the skill to execute it. He's world-class and Newcastle's recruitment team deserve immense credit for identifying him and three of the other player-of-the-season nominees here. Caulkin: Well, we haven't really mentioned Guimaraes, the first Newcastle captain to lift a trophy since Bobby Moncur in 1969. So if I really had to choose, it'd be Burn. I may be biased, but I also think that's justified. Waugh: For consistency across the season, you're right. But I'm going for Tonali, just in terms of his effect from December onwards. Having a split vote feels apt, really.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Liverpool weigh up moneyball move for PSG hitman
It is no secret that Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-forward as part of an attacking overhaul. The Premier League champions had shown an interest in Alexander Isak and they likely would've entertained a move for the Sweden international had Newcastle United missed out on Champions League football. Advertisement Julian Alvarez continues to be on the club's radar along with Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike. According to Anfield Watch sources, the Reds are also weighing up a potential move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Goncalo Ramos. The 23-year-old is by no means top of the club's wishlist, but he's under consideration. It is believed he falls into the Moneyball category. At this moment in time, he's a value for money option having been underutilised by the Ligue 1 champions. Ramos was limited to just 1,066 minutes in the French top-flight last season, making 10 starts for Luis Enrique's side. As a result, he could be available this summer. He wants first-team football and PSG want to add an attacker to their ranks who suits their style a little better. Advertisement The Portugal international moved to the French capital for an initial €65million. The feeling is that the former Benfica man could be available for a similar fee this summer. While this may seem excessive for a bit-part player, it is relatively good value for money when assessing the striker market. Ekitike is valued by Eintracht Frankfurt at €100million while Isak would've set you back the best part of €180million. There's talk that RB Leipzig want north of €80million for Sesko while Alvarez would likely command a fee in excess of €120million. The PSG No9 made the most of his limited opportunities last term, finishing the Ligue 1 season with 10 goals and three assists. He was a real goal threat for Enrique's side, racking up an Expected Goals total of 13.6 and a Non-Penalty Expected Goals average of 0.96. Ramos, albeit in what was a relatively small sample size, proved himself to be a shot monster, averaging 4.41 per 90 in the league. Advertisement More impressively, though, was the fact just four of his efforts in Ligue 1 arrived from outside of the box during the 2024/25 campaign. He was taking a lot of high-value shots. He showcased his ability to be a penalty box poacher. And if Liverpool opt to go down this route next season, with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah supplying the ammo to a new No9, Ramos could be a leading candidate. After all, in his final season for Benfica before the move to France, he netted 19 goals. He stepped up following the sale of Darwin Nunez. Interestingly, Anfield Watch are told that Julian Ward favoured Ramos in the summer of 2022 but former manager Jurgen Klopp was 'in love' with the idea of Darwin. Pedro Marques, who joined FSG in the summer, will know all about Ramos too, not just as a player but as a person. Coupled with Ward's contacts in Portugal, you would imagine that Liverpool have a fairly good idea of what Ramos is like. If the Reds decide a poacher is required to get the best out of their squad, Ramos could move up their shortlist.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Arsenal's campaign 'remembered as one of frustration'
Arsenal secured a third runner-up finish in a row but this campaign is going to be remembered with Arteta will have the same feelings and will be pondering what could have been as another season ends without a Gunners were robbed of key forwards for large part of the season with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all suffering a medium to long-term injury at some point in the Arsenal's football was not as free-flowing as in previous seasons and, despite the injuries, the debate that went on all season was whether they needed a is clear that they do and after failing to bring one in during the January transfer window, the pressure now moves to this summer are interested in Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko but it remains to be seen which one of those three, if any, come through the has progressed Arsenal but if the squad doesn't improve, the danger is next season will be remembered in exactly the same way.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'Have no doubt, Arteta is the man'
We asked for your views on our fan contributor Laura Kirk-Francis' end of season scorecard (27 May, 09:53 BST).Here are some of your comments:John: Laura is pretty much right. I think the injuries did damage our season more than Laura thinks but red cards played their part as well. This window must be the window to make the difference between finishing first or Agree with Laura - frustrating to end with nothing this season. Liverpool have been excellent but we've barely challenged for the league title. Points dropped from winning positions is the most damning stat!Carl: Arsenal have made great strides under Mikel Arteta. True Arsenal fans understand this and are firmly behind him. With the addition of a striker and some more creativity in the number 10 role to take the pressure off Martin Odegaard, we will achieve silverware. Recruitment is needed this summer - but have no doubt, Arteta is the Alexander Isak is a proven goalscorer but he does get injured a lot. The strikers from either Germany or Portugal look a better and cheaper bet. If we can also get Nico Williams then it would add another dimension to our attack!Al: 6/10? Every other team besides Liverpool would love to have had Arsenal's season.
Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Times
Newcastle want four new players — but do not need to make big sale
Big sale averted It is not widely known just how desperate the situation was at Newcastle United in January. The belief within the club is that without the sales of Miguel Almirón to Atlanta in the MLS and Lloyd Kelly to Juventus for a total of about £25million, one of the stars — an Alexander Isak, an Anthony Gordon or a Sandro Tonali — would have had to been sold this summer for below market value. The combined £72million for the sales of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson during a frantic May last year averted a ten-point penalty and was a step in the right direction towards resolving their issues with the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). There was still work to be done, however, to rectify a previous overspend and that meant getting an above market value for the 31-year-old Almirón and Kelly, who had been signed as a free transfer in the previous summer window. Those deals and a third transfer window without a costly signing have put Newcastle in a stronger financial place than they have been in recent seasons because of PSR. Not at the top table yet The reaction of Newcastle's senior figures in the directors' box on the final day of the season as the club squeezed into the Champions League — courtesy of Manchester United's victory over Aston Villa — told you just how important that was. There were worried faces during the 1-0 defeat at home to Everton, but laughs of absolute relief at full-time. The reaction in the box showed the financial significance, not to mention the prestige, that an aspiring club like Newcastle attribute to Champions League qualification. The financial benefits vary, but Villa picked up £45million thanks to their progress to the quarter-finals, and that was without factoring in gate receipts and commercial and marketing revenue. However, club sources are keen to stress that the added income does not mean reverting to the free-spending early days of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) ownership, when £62million went on Isak, £55million on Tonali and £45million on Gordon. Those days appear to be gone for the foreseeable future. Newcastle are trying to grow their revenue from the £320million for the 2023-24 season, which means that the process to catch the top clubs will take longer, as will being able to compete at the top end of the market. The beauty of youth Newcastle are aware they have an ageing squad and there is a desire to bring in younger players this summer. Eddie Howe admitted on Sunday that they would have to sign players with potential and bring them up to the standard that a club who have finished in the top five in two of the past three seasons require. The club are very much aware that Howe has produced wonders to win a first major domestic trophy in 70 years — the Carabao Cup — and qualify for the Champions League without any help in the transfer market for so long. That is set to change, with three or four players likely to arrive at St James' Park. Who and how Newcastle still want a right-sided central defender, a right-sided forward, a young goalkeeper and possibly an attacking midfielder. They have an interest in Liverpool's centre half Jarell Quansah, 22, the Aston Villa winger Jacob Ramsey, 24, the Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, 22, and Espanyol's Joan García, 24, as well as the Coventry goalscorer Jack Rudoni, 23. Attracting those three outfield players and one of the goalkeepers would pretty much eat up Newcastle's entire transfer budget for this window, given budget constraints are still in place. It is highly unlikely that they will sign a finished article such as Marc Guéhi, a player they still like, because there are concerns over the size of the fee, not to mention competition from the likes of big-spending Chelsea and possibly Liverpool. Newcastle have the added complication of sporting director Paul Mitchell and chief executive Darren Eales both leaving next month. The Times understands that Mitchell will act in an advisory position and work through the details of any deals. It means that Howe will be very much back playing a leading role in transfers as the club prepare to invest in their first-team squad for the first time in four windows, but the Newcastle head coach, like those at boardroom level, knows they will have to be quick and smart in the window, with the financial might of PIF kept very much in tow once again.
