Sweden boss in no doubt where Alexander Isak ranks in the Premier League's hotshots
EXCLUSIVE: Alexander Isak has 23 goals this season for Newcastle and his national team boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has compared him to the Premier League's other strikers
Alexander Isak proved he is the Premier League’s best striker by helping Newcastle win the Carabao Cup, claims Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson. Isak took his tally this season to 23 against Liverpool at Wembley and only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland can better his haul of 19 Premier League goals.
Tomasson says the Swedish hitman is the most lethal in the top flight and will unleash him against Northern Ireland in Tuesday’s friendly in Stockholm. "Obviously I’m biased, but Isak is the best striker in the Premier League in my opinion,” said the former Newcastle forward.
"He’s just won a cup and was instrumental for Newcastle in that game, as he always is. Trophies are important milestones in a player’s career.
"He’ll always remember winning the cup and he’ll always remember scoring in the final, it’s a special feeling. I’m extremely happy with him playing for Sweden. He’s a great player and a great person.”
Northern Ireland will be spared facing Viktor Gyokeres, who has amassed 46 goals this season, and the Sporting Lisbon hotshot is injured. Ruben Amorim would love to be reunited with Gyokeres at Manchester United and Tomasson has no doubts he would light up the Premier League.
“Gyokeres would be fantastic in the Premier League,” said the former Blackburn boss. “He could play for any club in the world and he would score a lot of goals anywhere. Him and Isak are two quite different players, but they’re both world-class strikers.”
Tomasson respects Irish boss Michael O’Neill, who like him, won promotion to the Nations League group B. He also loves the passion of the Northern Ireland fans and wants to create the same kind of atmosphere around Sweden, who surprisingly lost 1-0 to Luxembourg in a friendly on Saturday. “I’ve met Michael a lot of times,” he said. “He’s a good colleague and a great coach.
“Northern Ireland won their Nations League group, just like we did, and I’m looking forward to the test against them. There’s a special atmosphere around the Northern Ireland team. They certainly play for their team and for their country. I admire that.
“And then the brilliant fans, who stole the show at the Euro 2016. Who doesn’t remember their song ‘Will Grigg’s on fire?’. I want that kind of passion in and around my team. I’m building an atmosphere in the squad of being proud of playing for your country and enjoying the football you play.”
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