Here’s why Chris Waddle thinks Chelsea should sign Alexander Isak
Former England attacking midfielder Chris Waddle has recently come out and made his feelings clear on Chelsea-liked Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak.
Speaking to BoyleSports, the 63-year-old had this to say about the Sweden international, as quoted by Football London:
“I watched him in a friendly against Denmark before the tournament started and he kept getting round the defenders so easily, and with so much speed, so I can see why Chelsea are trying to get him out of Newcastle.
“He’s an ideal player for Chelsea – he’s pacy and exciting – but if Newcastle lose him and replace him with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they will be in trouble. He suffers so many injuries, so then you’re asking Callum Wilson to stay fit.
“Isak has had his injury problems as well, but losing him to a Premier League rival would be a massive backwards step.”
The 24-year-old has been on song ever since arriving in the Premier League from La Liga two seasons ago, playing a crucial role in Newcastle cementing themselves as a side battling for European spots in the league.
Isak’s current £120,000-a-week contract with Newcastle is set to keep him at St James’ Park until the end of the 2027/28 season.
It’s not that simple
During his time at Newcastle, while he has undoubtedly been prolific, Isak’s success is down more to his ability to fit the style of play preferred by Eddie Howe.
Despite being a tall, lanky striker, Isak is not a target-man forward but more of a runner who’s good at moving quickly into open spaces and pouncing on chances. Rather than someone who primarily plays a central role in linking up play up front, he relies on others to create chances for him off his movement.
Of course, we don’t yet know whether Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea would need a striker like this one, but if his Leicester City side of last season is anything to go by, there’s no reason to believe Isak would be a complete flop.
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But he’s also not a sure guarantee to succeed. There are a lot of uncontrollable variables at play here, and when you take them into account relative to the three-figure price tag Newcastle have put on Isak, a move for him would fall firmly in the realm of a gamble and not a shrewd signing on paper.
