Alexander Isak: style of play analysis

Alexander Isak has been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, among several leading clubs who would no doubt love to call on his services. As it stands, though, Newcastle United would not let him go for anything less than an enormous transfer fee. That is because Isak has developed into one of the most impressive number nines in world football.

In 2022 Newcastle signed the then 22-year-old Isak for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £63m. That came after spells with AIK in his native Sweden, then Borussia Dortmund, Willem II (on loan) and Real Sociedad. In his first three seasons in England, he scored 54 Premier League goals in the black and white stripes in 86 games. His contribution helped Newcastle return to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. More importantly, they also ended a 56-year trophy drought, with Isak scoring the winner in the 2025 EFL Cup final against Liverpool.

Below, our UEFA-licensed coaches have analysed his game…

Technical analysis

Alexander Isak is a versatile right footed centre-forward, who can lead the front line on his own or work in a front two. Where possible, he prefers to operate on the last line, looking to spin and exploit central-space behind a back line. He times his movements well, linking with midfielders playing forward.

Similar to the likes of Jamie Vardy and Romelu Lukaku, Isak often bends his movement so he can receive across his body. This helps him to remain onside for longer, running across the line of the final defender to receive on the move – seeing both the ball and his direct opponent at the same time (below). He can also manipulate his marker with double movements, making an initial run to lure, then a second movement to receive or shoot.

Isak sometimes spins in behind after dropping short to connect via quick bounce passes with the midfield or advancing defenders. When dropping to link he curves his movement towards the ball, before continuing his run to face forward and exploit space beyond. This is especially effective when his marker has followed his initial dropping, creating more space to exploit.

Another key strength of Isak’s is his ability to regularly hit the target almost regardless of his final position on goal and the detail of the ball played to him. In his first two full seasons in the Premier League he ranked in the top eight for shot percentage on target, and has scored a variety of goals across his career. Many of his goals come from movements in behind, whether receiving through balls or clipped passes over the back line. By timing his forward runs so well, he can remain calm and composed to finish 1v1, or on the angle if a defender tries to show him away from goal.

Isak is also adept at attacking crosses, making use of his powerful 6ft 4in frame against strong centre-backs to attack aerial balls (below). He readjusts to move and disrupt his marker, so he can attack the ball in a slightly bigger space. This means he has a better choice of finish and final contact on the ball, which likely contributes to his high level of accuracy.

He will also work the near-post spaces to get across the first defender, applying deft finishes across his body and the face of goal. There are times when, during prolonged build-up out wide, he will subtly drift away from markers, ready to attack on the blindside. Indeed, he is often unmarked at the moment he strikes at goal, courtesy of clever, subtle repositioning while his teammates work the ball into the box.

When not making penetrative movements or threatening the goal, his play between the lines helps to link the attack. He times his movement towards the ball to offer himself for central passes, ideally benefitting from movements in behind from teammates in the front line (below).

When receiving against pressure, his strong physical presence helps pin opponents, securing to link, or rolling his marker. He is also a strong dribbler and ball carrier when counter-attacking from deep, dropping short or drifting wider during sustained possession. He did this more often when playing in Spain, but remains more than capable of carrying and dribbling before releasing to others. Especially one he has pulled opponents out of position, with supporting runners around him.

Centre-forward

Isak has played as a single centre-forward within a 4-3-3 under Eddie Howe’s management. Naturally he has been the focal point of the attack, with the wide players and those in the centre looking to provide regular chances. Forward runs on either side have also enhanced Isak’s attacking positioning in the final third. A key component of Howe’s attacking style is runs from midfield, especially from the number eights. Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff have all provided penetrative number-eight runs, often between the opposition full-back and centre-back. From there, narrowed crosses and passes into the box give Isak the chance to finish from close range.

Isak has also profited from crosses by the wingers, whether delivered outside the opposing full-back or from a narrowed run. Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon, and Harvey Barnes have all provided a steady supply of crosses for Isak. Kieran Trippier, advancing from right-back, has also served Isak from wider areas.

Reminiscent of Luis Suárez, he often deliberately positions himself in an offside position during much of the attack – especially when the midfield and wide players are searching for ways to penetrate. When the opposing back-line jumps forward – often reacting to a backwards pass – a penetrative pass in behind can be played. Isak remains unattached and works in line or just behind the ball, ready to finish from crosses or passes across the box (below).

At Newcastle Isak has linked well with the wingers and number eights when they make narrowed runs (below) during central attacks. Diagonal passes inside have seen Isak drop between the lines to link with forward runners. When there is space in behind, he will play around corners, or subtly set the ball into teammates to drive in behind and attack on the move. When space beyond is limited, Isak can produce an impressive shot from range. He can also offer quick link-up play for others to shoot, especially midfielders.

Narrowed runs from the likes of Gordon, Murphy and Barnes have enhanced Isak’s overall hold-up play. Their positioning has often stopped full-backs from doubling up with a centre-back on Isak, as they focus on tracking the winger’s inwards runs. Isak has often dominated 1v1s to secure and link the play centrally, before working himself into a goalscoring position. The wingers’ supporting movement inside has in turn created wide space for Trippier, Tino Livramento or Lewis Hall to advance from full-back, giving Isak more teammates to link with.

Isak has proven himself to be much more than a goalscorer, helping to knit together Newcastle’s play. In an era of false nines and goalscoring wingers, he has shown that there is still a key role for the more traditional centre-forward.

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