Teddy Sheringham has made a surprising choice when asked to name the best striker in the Premier League right now.
Despite Erling Haaland’s extraordinary goalscoring record with Manchester City, the former England and Tottenham striker believes Alexander Isak deserves the top spot.
Sheringham has been impressed by the qualities Isak brings as a centre-forward, particularly his movement, composure and ability to find the right positions inside the penalty area.
The verdict comes at an interesting time for Isak, who appears to be rediscovering his best form after a difficult first season with Liverpool.
Teddy Sheringham Chooses Alexander Isak Over Erling Haaland
Haaland has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in Premier League history since joining Manchester City in 2022.
The Norway international has scored 169 goals in 205 appearances for City, putting him increasingly close to Sergio Aguero’s record as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Haaland has also been linked with the Premier League’s all-time scoring record, currently held by Alan Shearer.
Yet those numbers were not enough to convince Sheringham that Haaland is the best striker in the competition.
Instead, the Premier League legend selected Liverpool forward Alexander Isak.
“I really like Alexander Isak. I like what he gives you as a centre-forward,” Sheringham told Hajper.
“For me, he’s the best striker in the Premier League. He’s phenomenal.”
It is a strong endorsement from a former striker who understands the demands of playing at the highest level.
Alexander Isak Is Finding His Best Form Again
Isak’s selection becomes even more interesting given the difficult period he experienced during his first season at Liverpool.
The Swedish striker moved from Newcastle United to Liverpool for a record £125 million fee in the summer of 2025. However, his debut campaign was disrupted by injury problems, and he finished the season with only four goals.
This season has been a different story.
After seven appearances in all competitions, Isak has already matched the number of goals he scored throughout the previous campaign. He has also provided one assist.
The improvement has convinced Sheringham that the forward is returning to his best level.
“He clearly wasn’t in the right condition last season, but the whole situation at Liverpool wasn’t working, even playing with two centre-forwards. It didn’t work for anybody,” Sheringham explained.
That assessment highlights why Isak’s current form could be particularly important for Liverpool.
With greater consistency and improved fitness, the Swedish international can once again show the qualities that made him such a highly rated striker before his move to Anfield.
Isak’s Movement Makes Him a Dangerous Striker
One of the biggest reasons behind Sheringham’s praise is Isak’s movement inside the penalty area.
The 26-year-old does not simply wait for the ball to arrive. Instead, he actively searches for space and adjusts his position to give himself the best possible opportunity to score.
That movement can make a significant difference against defenders who are attempting to track him.
Sheringham is particularly impressed by Isak’s ability to arrive in dangerous positions at the right moment.
“I’d like to see him win the Golden Boot this year, not to beat Erling Haaland, but because of the way Isak plays and how hungry he is to score goals,” Sheringham said.
The former striker also highlighted Isak’s composure and natural instincts around the goal.
“He knows where the goal is from both sides and he’s absolutely phenomenal in the box, always in the right place at the right time and following opportunities,” he added.
For a striker, those qualities can be just as important as raw finishing ability.
The Bournemouth Goal Shows Isak’s Instinct
Sheringham also pointed to Isak’s goal against Bournemouth as a good example of his attacking instincts.
At first glance, his position might appear to be the result of luck. However, Sheringham believes Isak’s movement played an important role in putting him in the perfect position to take advantage of the opportunity.
That is what separates a natural goalscorer from a forward who simply waits for chances.
Isak’s ability to anticipate where the ball might arrive allows him to attack spaces before defenders can react.
His movement also gives Liverpool another dimension in the final third.
Some of the key qualities Sheringham admires in Isak include:
- Intelligent movement inside the box.
- Strong positioning around goal.
- Composure when chances arrive.
- A clear hunger to score.
- The ability to find space without constantly relying on physical strength.
These attributes explain why Sheringham believes Isak can compete with the very best strikers in the Premier League.
Isak and Haaland Set for a Major Test at Anfield
The debate over the Premier League’s best striker could receive a fascinating chapter after the international break.
Liverpool are scheduled to host Manchester City at Anfield on October 11, putting Isak and Haaland on opposite sides.
The match will provide an opportunity for both forwards to demonstrate their qualities in one of the biggest fixtures of the Premier League season.
Haaland will arrive with an extraordinary scoring record behind him, while Isak will be looking to continue his resurgence at Liverpool.
The contrast between the two forwards should make the contest particularly intriguing.
Haaland has built his reputation around elite goalscoring numbers and physical presence, while Isak offers a combination of movement, technique and composure that has clearly caught Sheringham’s attention.
Can Alexander Isak Prove Sheringham Right?
Sheringham has already made his choice.
For him, Alexander Isak is currently the best striker in the Premier League, even ahead of a player who has produced remarkable numbers since arriving in England.
Now Isak has an opportunity to provide an answer on the pitch.
A strong performance against Manchester City would not settle the debate permanently, but it could underline why Sheringham believes the Liverpool forward has everything required to be considered the Premier League’s finest striker.
With his confidence returning and his goals beginning to flow again, Isak appears ready for the challenge.
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