Dribbling by Alexander Isak, proving that the comparison with Thierry Henry is not stupid

Alexander Isak was in top form when he helped his team beat Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park. Credit: AP/Jon Super

When Alexander Isak took possession of the ball a meter or so into Everton's half, there was no hint of what was about to unfold, a skill so sublime that matchday commentators at first couldn't understand what just happened. /p>

It was so unexpected, so crushing, so unbelievable that it took a few moments for him to realize the true extent of the beauty of his work. Like a classic painting by one of the great masters hanging in a gallery, you had to look at it more than once to fully appreciate it.

But once you saw its true splendor, you couldn't take your eyes off it. The replays let you see the greatness of the skill and then, well, then you just had to watch it over and over again.

It was more like dancing than dribbling. A show of skill in a tight space, with the sideline constantly squeezing the space and three Everton players covering it, is so good that Isak became an internet sensation overnight.

Stop what you're doing and look at Alexander Isak's dribbling 🤤 pic.twitter.com/Kdq8E09fzo

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2023

In truth, Newcastle knew Sweden international special for a few months. The player who scared teammates in training with his speed and balance, as well as his confidence and audacity, and back in January sparked comparisons between manager Eddie Howe and the legendary Thierry Henry.

When these words first came out of Howe's mouth at a meeting with his coaching staff, Telegraph Sport understands that there were some initial doubts that it would be wise to mention Henry's name in conversation, even in private.

It was young a player signed for a huge amount of money that made him a club record for Newcastle, playing in a new league and in a new country.

He only recently returned from an injury, spraining his hip while on international duty, shortly after arriving from Real Sociedad in August. He was asked to do a lot, to settle down in front of the waiting crowd. This caused enough pressure even if he wasn't compared to one of the Premier League's most colorful Hall of Famers.

Thierry Henry was an Arsenal star and one of the best players in the Premier League. Credit: Reuters/Jed Leicester

There was, however, a reason why Isak was so eager to wear the #14 shirt. He idolized Henry as a child, watching the Premier League at home in Solna, a suburb north of Stockholm.

Similar in shape, size and gait, endowed with the same powerful combination of speed, size and athleticism. , was the reason why Borussia Dortmund signed Isak from AIK after just one season. Isak made his debut for his hometown club when he was just 16 years old. He was only 17 when he moved to Germany.

His goal against Everton, combined with a string of sensational post-World Cup appearances for Newcastle, means Henry's comparison can no longer be ignored, downplayed or whispered about him.

Even Howe talks about it publicly. Now. “I see a comparison here [with Henry]. Everyone is different, no two players are the same, but I think he has some of the characteristics that Thierry had. Speed, physique, frame and footwork for the goal were…

Only one striker, Manchester City's ruthless Erling Haaland, has scored more goals per minute on the pitch than Isak. At £54m (the fee will only rise to the well-known £63m with surcharges), Isak no longer looks expensive, he looks like a bargain. He's so good.

Isak initially looked like he was going to miss time when he got the ball close to the halfway line.
Newcastle won 3-1 away. Seconds before, moments after Goodison Park faced a fan rout, Everton scored directly from Dwight McNeil's corner. There was a brief wave of hope for the home team and Newcastle had to deal with the final 15 minutes.

Isak charged forward, forcing Everton's defense to retreat. But they were unaware of the danger. Isak even stopped when he got to the corner flag. Two players covered him with their backs to goal, while a third, centre-back Ben Godfrey, covered him. Isak pretended to turn away from the gate. The Everton players bought a dummy, and with lightning speed shifting weight and balance, Isak flew off the spot, exploding from his spot.

The touchline has been a friend of Everton; their security blanket. Isak galloped, but he didn't have room to do anything. In the worst case, all he could do was win a corner.

Fast legs dodged one and then two attempts to grab him. Instead of seeing the touchline as a barrier, Isak danced along it like an aerial gymnastics.

He beat one player, then another, picking up speed all the way with the ball attached to his boots. Godfrey stumbled, his head torn from the beating that Newcastle's attacking players had already given. He mistakenly believed that all he had to do was take Isak out of the game or kick the ball instead.

Isak, without slowing down or losing control of his body or the ball, lightly kicked his toe on the surface over Godfrey's leg so he can't make a grab. It was all done at such a speed that you missed it in real time. It was wonderful, bold, bold and unstoppable.

The post raced towards him — Isak stumbled upon it a split second after the release of the ball — the forward crossed Callum Wilson, the ball bounced off James Tarkowski in the way of Jacob Murphy at the far post. Murphy was already laughing when he scored Newcastle's fourth goal.

He wasn't laughing at Everton, but at what Isak had done. He barely celebrated, immediately heading towards Isak, who had already disappeared into the crowd of teammates.

Isak's Newcastle teammates couldn't hide their delight and amazement at his remarkable performance. Credit: PA/Peter Byrne

Murphy led him up to the Newcastle fans, pointing at Isak, urging them to give it their all. confession. They already knew.

The moment came right in front of them, at the corner of Goodison Park into which they were crammed. This is something they and we will never forget.

Isak scored 10 goals in just 16 Premier League matches for Newcastle. Only 11 of them were launched. He has been prolific since the end of the winter, also scoring on his debut against Liverpool in August.

But it was a penalty against Bournemouth as he struggled to get into the game and St James A park». the crowd saw that their side had suddenly fallen behind, which showed Isak's other great strength — his mental fortitude.

He looked lightweight as a centre-forward who was mocked by centre-backs. That price tag looked a lot. Indeed, at the beginning of this season, there was muted talk in the press room that Newcastle had spent a huge amount of money on a player who could not play as a centre-forward in the Premier League.

Newcastle manager ” even admitted that we are not seeing the Isak he saw at the training ground. Wilson, when he was in shape, was the first choice.

However, Isak was always learning and adapting. He got stronger in the gym and got better with Howe's intense training methods. When he converted a penalty against Bournemouth, it showed a player who wasn't intimidated or broken by pressure and expectations. This boded well.

Returning to action in January after losing the FA Cup to Sheffield Wednesday, Isak gradually picked up the pace and fitness of English football. The Wolverhampton goal was scored by a head that Les Ferdinand, Andy Carroll or the great Alan Shearer would have been proud of. But the breakout match took place in mid-March against Nottingham Forest, a virtuoso spectacle in which Isak tormented the opponent's defense, unsettling them and scoring a stunning impromptu volley in the first half.

And in stoppage time. , it was Isak who converted another penalty and won the match for Newcastle.

Isak now looks capable of anything and everything in a Newcastle shirt. Having taken the plunge in August to seal a deal first revealed by Telegraph Sport in July but initially dismissed as too expensive, Newcastle knew they were risking a player who suffered from injuries and a goal drought in his final year in Spain. .

His magic against Everton is further proof that the club's recruiting team unanimously decided that Isak was the player they most wanted this summer, for a very good reason.