“It’s clear”: The 23-year-old from Newcastle is being challenged by the national coach, which will only help Howe
Sweden coach Janne Andersson will speak to Alexander Isak about taking on more responsibility with the national team as he looks to lean on the Newcastle United star.
Andersson is adamant that Isak should now be one of Sweden’s leading figures after 40 appearances for his country. The 23-year-old will play his 41st international match on Saturday evening when Blagult travel to Estonia for the Euro 2024 qualifier. Sweden is currently only in third place in Group F.
Isak failed to help Sweden avoid defeats against Belgium and Austria, while Azerbaijan were defeated 0-5. The Newcastle striker scored in the drubbing round to take his country’s tally to nine goals. He has also provided another five assists in his previous appearances.
Andersson wants Isak to take a leadership role in the Swedish team
Under Andersson, Isak made his Sweden debut in January 2017 at the age of 17 years and eight months. But it wasn’t until March 2019 that Andersson really recognized the striker as a high-ranking international player. He spent the two years in between playing in the U21 team.
A series of injuries have further limited Isak’s availability for both Sweden and Newcastle. During his international match in September 2022, he suffered a thigh injury 63 million pounds Transfer from Real Sociedad. It kept the Tyneside attacker out of action until January 2023.
Since then, however, goals have been coming regularly, with Isak scoring twelve in 31 games for Newcastle so far. He has featured in two of four Premier League games so far this season. But Andersson wants Isak to show greater leadership in Sweden alongside the Newcastle star’s goal threat.
“For me, Alex is a player who I would like to see take more responsibility on the field,” Andersson said via Fotbolskanalen. “To take a step forward. I’ll talk to him about that.”
Andersson’s ambitions should only be good for Newcastle
The Swedish coach continued: “It doesn’t have to be the case that one or two control everything. It may be that many people get involved and contribute a little more.
“It’s also a question of experience. If you have already played several international matches, you know what is important. I won’t put too much pressure on him. But it is clear that after 40 international matches he is a player we can hold on to.”
Andersson encouraging Isak to take more responsibility at Sweden should only be good news for Newcastle coach Eddie Howe. The striker’s development into an inspirational figure for his country should continue at St James’ Park. It can only be a good thing to have a different leader.
The article “It is clear”: The 23-year-old from Newcastle is being challenged by the national coach, it will only help. Howe appeared first on HITC.
