Newcastle United's £63million man Alexander Isak admits that the Europe-bound Magpies are at least one year ahead of schedule - but insists he is ready to take the challenge head on.
Isak managed to hit double figures in his first campaign on Tyneside after making the move from Real Sociedad. Those statistics are pretty impressive given he missed half the season with a thigh injury suffered in September.
But his return to fitness coincided with the run that took United to the promised land of the Champions League and that coveted top four slot.
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Isak said: "It was always going to take different types of performances to get us where we wanted to be. Especially during the late stages of the season, you are fighting for every point available.
"We did it away from home at Leeds and then at home to Leicester but we got what we needed when we needed it. I did not expect us to get to the Champions League in my first season when I signed, but once I saw the quality of the group I believed that we could achieve something special."
Isak may only be 23 but has a good wealth of experience playing in Europe after stints playing for Real Sociedad in La Liga and a spell at Borussia Dortmund in Germany. Now he is looking forward to using that know-how with Newcastle in Continental competition.
Isak said: "It was about getting the results we needed in the Premier League in the run-in. They are all difficult, and it doesn't matter who you play, play home or away or where they are in the Premier League table, it's difficult.
"Look at the game against Leicester. We had control of the game and had 23 shots but they still could have won the match right at the end.
"No matter what you contribute in games anything can happen and we had to thank Nick Pope for a great save that night. Now we will look to take our game management into Europe."
Newcastle's amazing season means that the Champions League music will be filtering out around St James' Park next season.
Isak is looking forward to it: "It's going to be incredible, I can't wait you know. I think we are all excited for that moment. We finished the season strongly but now we have new aims for the 2023/24 campaign. I really can't wait to get going again."
