Alexander Isak's classy move after leaving Newcastle tour didn't go unnoticed

Former Newcastle United player Jon Dahl Tomasson is like every Magpies fan when he watches Alexander Isak play. "I smile every time," is Tomasson's reaction to watching the 24-year-old striker go about his business in the Premier League.

With 26 goals in all competitions this season, there's was plenty to smile about when watching the former Real Sociedad forward in action. If his first season at St James' Park was best described as a solid start with a sprinkling of class, there's no doubting the Sweden international took his game to a new level this past season in terms of his goal return and contribution to the team.

The hope now is the young forward will only get better, although some clubs, namely Arsenal and Chelsea, have a hope that impact will be seen in their own club colours. Newcastle may need to cut their cloth accordingly this summer to stay within the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, but that doesn't have to mean Isak departs and the growing hope is he'll be lighting up St James' for some time to come.

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That fact will surely delight ex-Newcastle player Tomasson, who despite spending just one difficult season at the club, retains a connection to the area. Now manager of the Swedish national team, it's on Tomasson to get the best out of Isak at international level as the nation prepare to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, having missed out on this summer's European Championships in Germany.

Isak and his Swedish team-mates play twice this week, with friendlies against Denmark and Serbia, with the Newcastle forward expected to feature before beginning his summer break. Ahead of the friendlies, Tomasson was asked about Isak and the player's impressive commitment having arrived a week ahead of the majority of the Sweden squad to train alongside the under-21s, despite being given permission to arrive later after flying to Australia with Newcastle on an end-of-season tour.

“Alexander Isak does it because he is a good teammate. That is what we need. Players who are passionate, players who want to be part of this," said Tomasson, who elaborated on his impression of the player.

“Alexander Isak is one of the best in the world at deep runs. I smile every time I watch his matches. His runs are so good. I am so impressed.”