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Eddie Howe's Alexander Isak message - and thoughts on Newcastle striker's future
EDDIE HOWE feels Alexander Isak is beginning to hit top form – and has backed the Newcastle United striker to continue his recent improvement in this evening’s Premier League home game with West Ham United.
Isak was in fine form prior to the international break, scoring in the league and cup matches against Chelsea as well as the back-to-back successes over Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
The Swede claimed another goal in his nation’s 2-1 win over Slovakia at the start of the international break, and would have continued his scoring spree against Azerbaijan last week had he not had an effort bizarrely ruled out for offside by VAR when he was clearly in an onside position.
Isak had a relatively slow start to the current campaign, failing to score in six of his opening seven matches, but his form has been transformed in recent weeks, with Howe hoping he continues to play an increasingly prominent role when West Ham visit St James’ Park tonight.
“He’s (Isak) building momentum into his season and has scored some big goals of late for us,” said the Magpies boss. “His general performances, I think, have continued to improve.
“He’s gone away to Sweden and played very well, I’m delighted with how he has looked on international duty as well, to continue that good form. I think being a striker, having not been one myself, but just from my experience, it’s all about confidence and how you feel.”
Isak’s performance levels throughout his time on Tyneside have seen him establish himself as one of the most highly-rated strikers in the English top-flight.
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He is contracted to St James’ until 2028, but talk of a new deal being imminent has cooled somewhat in recent months, with all parties seemingly content to allow the current situation to continue.
That could lead to increased speculation over his future when the transfer window reopens in January, with Arsenal continuing to be heavily linked with a potential move for the 25-year-old.
For all that their PSR position means they might well have to sell a big-name player in the future, Newcastle’s recruitment team are determined to hold on to Isak whatever happens at the turn of the year, with Howe in no doubt as to the forward’s importance. What happens next summer, particularly if the Magpies fail to reclaim a place in the Champions League, is harder to predict.
“Alex has got undoubted qualities,” said Howe. “I would put him right up there in terms of world strikers that are currently playing.
“But I feel that his potential is great. I think he can really, if he can continue on the path he has been the last few seasons, continue to go and prove himself as one of the world’s best. That would be, without putting pressure on him, my target if I was him.”
Isak will continue to lead the line this evening, with Callum Wilson still not back to full fitness after struggling with a combination of hamstring and back issues.
Howe will have to make at least change from the side that beat Nottingham Forest prior to the international break though, with Dan Burn suspended this evening after picking up his fifth booking of the season at the City Ground. With Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles both still unavailable, Lloyd Kelly is set to partner Fabian Schar at the heart of the back four.
“It’s a blow to lose Dan because I think the defensive unit has been in a good place in recent weeks,” said Howe. “I thought Dan was very good against Nottingham Forest. Individually, I thought he played very well, defending crosses superbly. I think his aerial ability and mobility really helped us in the game.
“So, we’re going to miss him and his leadership skills. But it’s an opportunity for somebody else to come in and grab the opportunity. I feel we have players who are waiting to play, so as much as we will miss Dan, we always back the players who are going to come in.”
Newcastle (probable, 4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Kelly, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Gordon, Isak, Joelinton.
