The 2022 summer season switch window noticed Newcastle United splash the money to snap up Real Sociedad sensation Alexander Isak, with the Swedish striker becoming a member of for a club-record charge of round £63m final August.
Despite the preliminary pleasure surrounding that deal, it has confirmed a relatively irritating begin to life at St James’ Park to date for the 23-year-old, with injury having cruelly denied the towering marksman the prospect to determine himself in the crew.
The former Borussia Dortmund ace has to date been restricted to only five appearances in the Premier League for the Magpies this season, with solely three of these having come from the beginning, albeit whereas nonetheless scoring three objectives in that point.
Amid these struggles, the 6 foot 4 starlet has additionally been described as ‘too lean’ by pundit Stan Collymore, who wrote in his CaughtOffside column that he has doubts over whether or not Isak – or fellow Magpies ahead Callum Wilson – can really be relied upon to ship the products for the Tynesiders.
The former Liverpool striker said: ‘They both have their own attributes to offer, but I’m simply undecided both participant is the sort to put on the long-lasting quantity 9 shirt and bag 20-plus objectives a season.’
Newcastle might be ruing their lack of ability to safe one other centre-forward goal final summer season, with Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport having solely lately revealed (by way of Sport Witness) that Newcastle had seen a bid of round €100m (£89m) rebuffed for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Who is the higher participant?
Isak
Osimhen
That potential switch blunder will little doubt rankle with Eddie Howe and co, such has been the Nigerian’s rampant run of type to date this season, having appeared virtually “unstoppable” for the runaway Serie A leaders in keeping with journalist Mimi Fawaz.
An undisputed “goal machine” – as beforehand lauded by the Evening Standard’s Nizaar Kinsella – the 24-year-old has helped energy Luciano Spalletti’s facet to the summit this time period, scoring 16 objectives in simply 17 league video games.
While the previous Lille marksman’s purpose conversion charge of 23% is decrease than Isak’s (30%), Osimhen additionally gives the advantage of his creativity in assault, having chipped in with three assists in the Italian prime flight, whereas the present Magpies ahead has none to his identify to date this season.
Although it could be considerably troublesome to check the 2 resulting from Isak’s harm woes, their differing type can also be illustrated by the truth that, whereas the Swede has a mean Sofascore match ranking of simply 6.78 in the present marketing campaign, Osimhen boasts a much more spectacular ranking of 7.28.
The latter has seemingly loved a fruitful spell wherever he has been in his profession to this point – after bagging 18 objectives in simply 38 video games throughout his time in France, and 20 objectives in 36 video games for Belgian outfit Charleroi – with it wanting as if the top-four hopefuls missed out on a participant who is sort of assured to fireside.
Of course, there’s nonetheless ample alternative for Isak to earn a constant run in the crew and show his value, though at current the lack to safe a deal for Osimhen might be a sore level for Newcastle.
