Alexander Isak’s Assist Shows How Good He Could Be For Newcastle United

There isn’t an official Assist of the Season in the Premier
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League, but if there was Alexander Isak surely would have secured it with his contribution for Newcastle United in their 4-1 demolition of Everton one Thursday. Indeed, the Swedish striker’s set-up for Jacob Murphy at Goodison Park was outrageous.

Isak initially picked up the ball somewhere near the halfway line and dribbled past three Everton defenders, balanced along the touchline and squared for Murphy to tap home at the back post. The assist defied logic and showcased the ability of the 23-year-old striker who signed for Newcastle United from Real Sociedad last summer.

“Yes, I can, I can see the comparisons there,” Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe replied when asked if Isak reminded him of the great French forward Thierry Henry in the way he plays the game. “Everyone is different, there are no two players that are the same, but I do think he has some of the characteristics Thierry had.”

The characteristics Howe refers to are the ability to weave through opponents at pace and guile, as well as a natural eye for goal. Isak, like Henry back in the day, is adept at using unorthodox methods to find the back of the net. And just like Henry, the Swede frequently makes it all look graceful.

Isak’s potential has been clear for a long time. He was billed as the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a teenager at Borussia Dortmund, but struggled to make much of an impression. At Real Sociedad, though, Isak was able to develop and grow into one of the best centre forwards in La Liga. He appears to have taken another step forward since joining Newcastle.

As things stand, the Magpies are on course to finish in the Premier League’s top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League. They will need to strengthen and deepen their squad to compete at the elite level of European soccer, but Isak is a number nine they can build around for years to come.

Not only is Isak a reliable goal-scorer, netting 10 times in just 16 Premier League games this season, his all-round game offers a lot. The Swedish striker has forged a strong understanding with Callum Wilson when the two attackers have been deployed together in the same team while Isak also appears to be on the same wavelength as Joe Willock, Bruno Guimaraes and most others.

Under Howe and with Saudi Arabian backing, Newcastle United are on an upward trajectory. Their project is still at a fledgling stage, but Isak’s signing sets a precedent for the club. He is the sort of player – young, hungry and ready to take a step forward in his development – Newcastle should be targeting.