Newcastle and the Isak Paradox: Toure, the Rp900 Billion Signing More Promising Than Wissa

Alexander Isak's sale to Liverpool for a British record £125 million in the summer of 2025 left a major hole in Newcastle United's attack. The two strikers signed as replacements, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, scored a combined nine Premier League goals last season—a tally far from adequate for a club aiming to return to European competition.

Newcastle's failure to sign leading targets such as Hugo Ekitike, who chose to join Isak at Anfield, made the situation worse. The management then brought in Matthias Jaissle as the new head coach, and he immediately reshaped the forward line: Woltemade was loaned to Juventus, while Wissa was deployed as an attacking midfielder behind the striker. The tactical change initially paid off when Wissa was named Man of the Match in the opening game against Liverpool.

Yet public attention has instead turned to Bazoumana Toure. The Ivorian forward was signed from Hoffenheim for £42 million this summer. Although he has had to wait patiently, his substitute appearance in Monday night's 1-4 defeat to Leeds United became a talking point. Toure scored his first goal in injury time, completed two successful dribbles, and recorded 100% shooting accuracy. He also won more than 60% of his aerial duels during 33 minutes on the pitch.

Comparisons with Isak are inevitable. The Swedish striker left St James' Park as an icon after three years of full dedication. Toure, who is only 20, is still far from that level. But the energy and quality he has shown from the bench are something Newcastle's attack has long been missing. His boldness in attack and work ethic are reminiscent of the young Isak, who also had to fight for his place.

"Toure has shown that he can be a long-term solution. What he needs now is trust and regular minutes," said an English football observer who follows Newcastle's development.

On the other hand, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, the £51 million signing from Lille, was given his first start against Leeds. Unfortunately, he was withdrawn in the 57th minute after failing to attempt a single shot and completing only eight passes. As a 21-year-old young player, adapting to the Premier League is never easy, but high expectations still weigh on his shoulders.

For Newcastle, the failure to find an Isak replacement is not merely a tactical issue but also a long-term strategic one. The club has spent a total of more than £100 million on Wissa, Woltemade, Fernandez-Pardo, and Toure. Such a heavy investment demands instant results, especially with pressure from management and supporters hungry for trophies. Jaissle is under pressure to find the right formula quickly, and Toure appears to be the candidate most ready for a bigger role.

Indonesian context: This Newcastle story reflects how Premier League clubs are becoming increasingly aggressive in spending on young players. The trend is also visible in Indonesia's Liga 1, where several clubs have begun investing in young foreign players for the long term. However, the difference in competition quality and media pressure makes adaptation in Europe far harder. For football fans in Indonesia, the Toure case can be a lesson about the importance of patience in developing young talent, especially when a high transfer fee becomes a psychological burden.

Going forward, the big question is whether Jaissle will be bold enough to give Toure regular starts. If so, Newcastle may have found a new gem capable of filling the void left by Isak. If not, they risk repeating the same mistake: wasting big money on a player who is never given the chance to shine. Will Toure become the next Isak, or simply the next victim of excessive expectations?