Move over Zlatan, Sweden has a new clinical playmaker.
If you've been watching Euro 2020, more specifically, the games in which Sweden has participated in, you might think Zlatan Ibrahimovic was still playing.
Tall, prolific and technical; not to mention from Sweden, Alexander Isak has shown the world that the comparisons to Zlatan are no fluke.
Alexander Isak is a name that many may not be familiar with, but after his recent season with Real Sociedad, in which he netted 17 goals, clubs in need of a promising young forward should look no further.
While Isak has yet to score in the group stages of Euro 2020, no one can deny the impact that he has had on the matches he has appeared in. He looks lively, creative and his long strides help him blow past defenders.
Tall players are going out of style in Europe now, with many scouts and teams focusing on small, maneuverable players that are technically gifted. If not for Isak's size, it could be believed that he falls under that category.
Besides Zlatan, I have never seen a player with that height control the ball as well as Isak has in his games. This leads me to believe that a breakout season is imminent for the young Swede, as even his goalless performances alone for his country has garnered a case for his purchase.
I do think that the Premier League would be a great destination for him, as the league always punishes forward players that cannot put the ball into the net (Raheem Sterling, Timo Werner) and rewards consistent finishers. Isak would use his height and physical play to hold up the play, which will pull the center-backs to him, allowing other players to run in behind and find open space.
Looking at the clubs in England that are in the market for a clinical forward (which is honestly all of them), I do believe Isak would succeed at Manchester City, Liverpool, or Chelsea.
All three of these clubs are in need of a goal scoring striker, as Manchester City have lost Sergio Aguero, Timo Werner cannot score a goal to save his life, and Roberto Firmino is just kind of there for Liverpool.
With a player of Isak's caliber that can hold up the play, get in the box to receive crosses, or create goal scoring opportunities, clubs around Europe will circle him like vultures after the Euros have concluded.
I'll make a bold prediction here. Isak has the talent on par with Zlatan, and they play a relatively similar game, which leads me to believe that he can have as prolific of a career as Zlatan had, but perhaps without the ego.
Only time will tell if Isak lives up to the hype, but whatever happens, Zlatan will always be the soccer king of Sweden. Right?
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