Newcastle boss Eddie Howe believes that comparisons between Aleksander Isak and Thierry Henry are understandable after his sublime performance in their 4-1 thrashing of Everton. After a four-month injury layoff, the £60 million summer signing for the Magpies has been on fire, increasing his season goal total to 10 as he contends with Callum Wilson for the starting lineup spot. But it was a spectacular assist in Thursday night’s 4-1 victory against Everton that prompted similarities to the erratic Frenchman. The player scooped up the ball near midway and made a mesmerizing move past three players before crossing for Jacob Murphy to tap in at the far post.
“I can see the analogies there, yes,” Eddie Howe said about Aleksander Isak and Thierry Henry comparisons. “Although every player is unique and no two players are alike, I believe he shares some of Thierry’s traits. He has a comparable build and frame and unquestionably has the speed. He actually had some amazing footwork on the assist, and I think he has a lot of room to grow and get better. But for him, this has been a great beginning.”
When Newcastle decided to spend so handsomely to wrest the now 23-year-old away from Real Sociedad in their hunt for further firepower, eyebrows were raised, but their trust has been generously repaid. Isak made a magnificent debut goal for Liverpool in August, but he only made three appearances for the club before injuring a thigh muscle while representing Sweden at an international level, keeping him out until January.
Although his contribution at Goodison Park came from the bench as Howe rotated his in-form frontmen, his prolific run of form has been crucial to the Magpies’ rise into Champions League contention. He has scored four goals in his last five games. Howe rested Wilson for the trip to Brentford earlier this month after the player had scored twice at West Ham, and then did the same to the Swede after his double against Tottenham on Sunday.
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