Alexander Isak: Hailed as the next Zlatan, the striker is the most exciting LaLiga signing of the summer

Alexander Isak: Hailed as the next Zlatan, the striker is the most exciting LaLiga signing of the summer
Real Madrid may have Eden Hazard and Barcelona Frenkie de Jong, but Real Sociedads signing of Zlatan heir Alexander Isak is the most exciting LaLiga transfer of the summer, and one with exponential potential.Everything you need to know about Alexander Isaks special mentality can be seen in the way he celebrated scoring against Malta in Euro 2020 qualifying last week.Getty Images4

Isak in action for Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League in 2018

Most 19-year-olds would be overwhelmed by netting their first competitive goal for Sweden, barely 10 minutes after entering the field of play. Not Isak. As the ball struck the net he simply turned, swaggered away, and gestured nonchalantly at an imaginary watch on his wrist.I was looking at how long it took me to score. A bit cocky, but you have to back yourself, the striker explained in the post-match mixed zone. Job done, minimal fuss, message sent. The hallmarks of a natural winner with the combination of confidence and talent required to go far at the highest level.If that evokes memories of another lanky striker in a yellow shirt then you arent the first to make the comparison. Since breaking through as a 16-year-old at AIK three years ago, Isak has been bombarded with comparisons to Zlatan Ibrahimovic as excited Swedes, desperate for a new talisman, were quick to notice his imagination and eye for goal. Football's top transfers from the 2019 summer transfer window so far Rather than buckle under that pressure though, Isak seems to thrive on it. Ive been compared to Zlatan a lot of times, its nothing that concerns me. I just want to be myself, do my best, and well see where it leads, he shrugged when asked about the parallels at the press conference presenting him as a new Real Sociedad player on Wednesday.Isak isnt a Zlatan clone who is? but it is true that he possesses that rare, ever so profitable combination of ingenuity and a deep well of self belief. He is the kind of forward who will happily run at a defender, try something, then if it doesnt work, just dust himself off and try something again until it finally clicks.Getty Images4

Isak has earned comparisons to Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic

And like Ibrahimovic, after showing potential at an early age in the Swedish league, it is an exceptional spell in the Netherlands that confirmed his capacity to deliver in elite football. In 18 matches on loan at Willem II last season Isak scored 14 goals and assisted seven more.The pick of the bunch was a winner against Dutch giants Feyenoord that started with the striker facing away from goal, then progressed through a mazy dribble that left two defenders on the ground before he then thumped a finish past the goalkeeper.Not quite as many opponents were humiliated as Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed against NAC Breda for Ajax all those years ago, but nonetheless, the stunning piece of play only further fuelled excitement.

We hope you score goals like these as a txuri urdin player @alex_isak! #OngiEtorriIsak #RealSociedad pic.twitter.com/xNuOg4ktRF— Real Sociedad (@RealSociedadEN) June 12, 2019

And while there are countless examples of young talent failing to make their potential crystallise due to bad moves, what is equally exciting about Isak is that he is clearly being well advised. That first became apparent when big clubs started chasing his signature from AIK two years ago, and inevitably, one of the sides throwing the most his way was Real Madrid.The temptation was certainly there, but in the end rather than being drawn in by the bright lights of the Bernabu and risk becoming yet another talent cast into development limbo, the youngster instead opted for the less glamorous option of Borussia Dortmund.Since moving to Germany his overall game as well as his physical conditioning have notably improved, and when first-team opportunities at the Bundesliga club failed to materialise, the Swede then took the profitable decision to go on loan to the Eredivisie. From there he earned his transfer to Real Sociedad, a club with an excellent record of developing young players into world class talent.Getty Images4

Isak will now look to impose himself on LaLiga

In other words, to date all of Isaks career choices have been sensible, and landing in the Anoeta while still a teen is an optimal situation to be in. La Real are the club that made Antoine Griezmann the most exciting winger in LaLiga, earning him a move to Atltico Madrid and the international glory that has come since.The club that helped Iigo Martnez become one of the best Spanish defenders around, destined to be a starter for Spain for years to come, and most recently, the side that has made Mikel Oyarzabal one of the most sought after attacking talents in Spain, summer after summer.At his presentation Isak spoke of the Real Sociedad concept drawing him in, of their faith in developing and giving playing time to young players. Further evidence that he is being guided with the steady hand necessary to make it at the top.Getty Images4

Isak seems more than prepared to deal with the pressure which may well be coming his way

And for further evidence of his combination of confidence and exceptional talent, consider his first touch of the ball in Spanish football. That came on Monday, after coming off the bench against Spain at the Bernabu.It was a nutmeg. On Sergio Ramos.

---

Champions League final pitch invader: Why scantily-clad Russian model interrupted Tottenham vs Liverpool clash. UEFA 2019 Final Pitch Invasion Russian model Ft Zdorovetskiy Interrupted Tottenham
Champions League Final pitch invader trolls Tottenham star

---

Arsenal transfer latest: Gunners set to activate clause to

---

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino met the press earlier today ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against Watford. Both sides meet at Vicarage Road going into the game with 100% records from their opening three matches. Pochettino had plenty to say with questions fired at him from the
Video: Mauricio Pochettino's press conference in full ahead

---

Winger rules out Sunderland return as Portsmouth reject £1.5m bid from Championship club, Coventry keen on Wolves forward while Peterborough target is offered new deal - League One and Two rumours
Owner Donald to accept £27m from consortium to buy huge chunk

---

There was also a new manager as Martin O'Neill returned to the Premier League after a six-year absence. It was always going to take time for the new partnership to bear fruition so although an 11 th place finish sounds unremarkable, it was the first steps towards three seasons of upcoming excitement for the Villa supporters.
sports | Stish Is Epic Stish

---

Pep Guardiola is 'the architect of his own downfall,' Adrian Durham believes Spurs may be destined to win the Champions League this year, says club legend hopes Man City's season doesn
Liverpool are to blame for feeding Luis Suarez's ego after

---

Manchester City will have to break the world record transfer fee for a defender to sign Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell. The 22-year-old has been one of the Foxes' most consistent performers
Manchester City transfer news: Club will have to break record

---

Jurgen Klopp was in the party mood after Liverpool claimed the Champions League. trophy on Saturday night. His side beat Tottenham in Madrid with goals coming from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi. Klopp admitted it was one of the best nights of his life as he ended his cup final hoodoo with his early piece of silverware with the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp sings Salt-N-Pepa classic after Liverpool's

---

In the U.K., grime king Stormzy and comedian, rapper and actor Michael Dapaah aka Big Shaq face off against Manchester United's Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford, footballers Presnel Kimpembe
FIFA 19 | Its Hip Hop

---

Jurgen Klopp 'ready to sell' €40m-rated flop to Atletico

---

Arsenal's Alex Iwobi (left) and Manchester United's Eric Bailly battle for the ball (Image: PA). Ivory Coast international Bailly joined United in 2016 but has less than 18 months to run on his
Man Utd reject desperate Arsenal loan offer for defender Eric

---

Manchester City and Manchester United are set to do battle over the "New Ronaldo" Joao Felix. The Express reports that Arsenal , Chelsea and Tottenham also are interested in the 19-year-old
Man Utd in £120m transfer battle with Man City and Real

---

Radio Football Commentators and Reporters 2010/11 League season will be given the full commentary treatment on 5 Live. GMR coverage (late 80's early 90's) was
LEFT AT FULHAM BROADWAY - Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea

---

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner fell out with former board members David Bernstein and Mervyn King over bitter email exchange. David Bernstein and Mervyn King resigned a day after Villa's relegation
Premier League: Phil Foden goal puts Man City back on top

---