Exclusive: Newcastle Hotshot Alexander Isak Deserves Alan Shearer's Famous Number Nine Shirt

Former Newcastle United ace Warren Barton believes the club’s star striker Alexander Isak should be given Alan Shearer’s famous No.9 shirt.

Sweden international Isak has been in blistering form for the Magpies this season with 19 goals in the top-flight and the club flying high in sixth place in the standings as they chase European football next season.

And Barton, who played alongside Shearer for six seasons at Newcastle, is convinced there is no bigger honour that awarding Isak with arguably the club’s most famous jersey.

“He’s been phenomenal, he really has,” said Barton, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com.

“I just think give him a new contract and give him the No.9 shirt."

“And I think let Alan Shearer present it to him on the pitch, all things like that to make him feel loved. That would be a great moment."

“Strikers want to be loved. We say goalkeepers are a rare breed, but strikers are definitely a special breed."

“He’s such a fantastic player and, from what I’ve heard, he’s a top guy around the changing room and a pleasure to be around."

“We took a big chance on him [by signing him for a reported £63million] and thankfully he’s come dividends.”

Shearer recently interview Isak for the BBC and Barton believes the club should make a real statement and celebrate their star man.

“He mentioned in Alan’s interview that No.14 was obviously an iconic number with David Ginola, but the No.9 shirt is so special."

“Poor old Les Ferdinand was No.9 and then Alan came along and took his shirt."

“Kevin Keegan had to have a difficult conversation with Les, but Les understood and took the No.10."

“The person who was most unhappy was Lee Clark because he was No.10 and he had to drop to No.12."

“But in all seriousness I think he [Isak] realises the importance of the shirt and the next level he wants to reach."

“He’s come to the Premier League with a reputation [from his time at Borussia Dortmund], but truth be known he’s surpassed all expectations."

“He’s come into the league and got stronger every season. He’s got physically better and his movement has improved."

“I think the next challenge for him now is, can you handle a big number?"

“And I don’t think it comes any bigger than the Newcastle No.9 shirt."

“I hope he can thrive under that. I’d make it a statement. I’d let Alan give him the shirt in front of the fans and let them come in in their droves and celebrate him."

“It’s a question for Isak, but having seen what he said to Alan, I think he would relish that opportunity and take it on and bet better."

“It’s such a special shirt and number for people up in Newcastle. And he’s a special player.”

PROLIFIC PREMIER LEAGUE START

All-time Premier League leading scorer Shearer amassed a staggering 260 goals during a decade-long spell at St James’ Park.

Isak, 25, has already notched up 50 Premier League goals in just 76 league appearances.

He bagged 25 goals last season from 40 games in all competitions and is already up to 22 goals from 31 matches this term, playing a key role in helping the club reach the League Cup final against Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday 16th March at Wembley.

“He wants to be remembered as a legend at Newcastle, he really does,” stressed Barton, who played 219 times for the Magpies between 1995-2002.

“He loves scoring the goals and so now hopefully he can win a trophy and then eventually get that No.9 jersey."

“It’s important we win because it gets you into Europe, it’s important to play in Europe for top players like Isak."

“All the top players want to play in Europe and now they can see a pathway with the club where they can achieve that."

“It doesn’t surprise me how successful Newcastle are getting and how they’re improving because I spoke to the ownership a couple of years ago."

“It’s a long-term plan, they want success straight away, but they also want to keep doing it for a very long time."

“They want to keep adding top players at the right time. The type of quality of a player like Isak, well that’s what all teams want."

“He is vital to the team. He’s getting the rewards for all his hard work and how the team have played this season."

“It’s really important they keep him and keep building a great team around him."