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The Expert Explains Isak's Super Form

Alexander Isak has scored seven goals in the last eight matches and is in the form of his life. Ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting with Dejan Kulusevski's Tottenham, we try to figure out: What makes the Newcastle striker so good?

» Published: January 03 2025

The Expert Explains Isak's Super Form
Photo: Dave Thompson/AP Photo

+ Speed

Isak doesn't have the blazing speed that stands out, but he has the ability to maintain a very high speed with the ball, according to Olof Lundh, expert and editor-in-chief at TV4's Football Channel.

It's primarily his speed with the ball that's incredibly impressive. Therefore, he becomes an incredible threat in depth with the ball and can challenge most, says Lundh.

+ Technique

In every match, Isak demonstrates his technique. It's not uncommon to see him glide past several defenders.

Lundh believes that it's Isak's speed, game understanding, and quick turns that make him stand out.

The combination of his speed and his incredible ball control makes it look incredibly easy when he just glides past defenders. His timing around when he should challenge shows an enormous game understanding. Then he's also so fast in his turns and can turn away defenders in that way. That makes him hard to read.

+ Game understanding

A quality that shouldn't be underestimated as a striker is knowing when and how to take runs. Something Lundh believes Isak is particularly skilled at.

He has an enormous game understanding. He knows how to move, not to run offside and to move away from defenders. He can also attack from both the wings and centrally. In that way, he becomes a threat everywhere on the pitch.

+ Finishing

To be a world-class striker, you need a high-class finish. With twelve goals in the league this season, Isak shows that he knows how to score goals.

Although Isak doesn't always show off the most powerful finishes, they're sharp. They're very smart finishes, he uses more precision than power. What's also fun is that he scores many different types of goals, finishes outside the penalty area, in the penalty area, and even headers, says Lundh.

Lundh believes, however, that one can't ignore the fact that Isak also has several skilled teammates.

Newcastle has gotten back some players from injuries, and when the whole team is doing better, he gets more help. But one shouldn't diminish the fact that when Isak is good, he's bloody important for Newcastle. Now that he's scored many goals, Newcastle has started to take steps up the table.

Newcastle meets Tottenham on Saturday, with kickoff at 13.30.

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By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

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