Alexander Isak set new challenge as Newcastle star heads for manager talks

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Alexander Isak stepped up for Newcastle last season.

Despite moving to a new country and a new league late on during last summer’s transfer window, the Sweden international managed to recover from early injury problems to score ten Premier League goals during his first campaign.

Now the starting striker for Newcastle ahead of Callum Wilson so far this season, the 23-year-old has entered his own.

Still, Sweden manager Janne Andersson wants more, it seems.

Indeed, Isak will represent his country in games against Estonia and Austria over the international break and has now been set a new challenge.

Sweden manager sets Alexander Isak a new challenge ahead of talks

Andersson was speaking during a press conference and, in quotes relayed by Fotbollskanalen, said he wants the striker to take on “greater responsibility” going forward.

“For me, Alex is a player that I want to see take greater responsibility on the pitch,” he said.

“To step forward. I will talk to him about that. (…) I’m not going to put a lot of pressure on him, but it’s clear that now that he has 40 international matches, he is a player that we should be able to prop up a little.”

Isak can be the new face of Swedish football

Though Zlatan Ibrahimovic officially retired from international duty in 2016, his figure loomed large over the Swedish game.

Indeed, the iconic forward even returned to the set-up as recently as March of this year after years of talk about a comeback.

Now Ibrahimovic has retired, however, there’s a real chance for Isak.

Arguably the most high-profile Swedish player around today, it make sense as to why the coach would demand more from the Newcastle star.

Taking on a leadership role can only be good for Newcastle, too. Eddie Howe’s squad is full of developing young players and having another leader in the ranks could help them over the coming years.