Journalist Aaron Stokes has claimed that Eddie Howe will face a ‘headache’ when trying to fit Alexander Isak into the Newcastle United team when he returns from injury.
Over the summer, the Magpies spent a club-record £63m in landing the Swedish striker, and for that price, many will have expected him to be the main man right away.
However, an injury has prevented Isak from building any momentum at the club so far, although he does have two goals in three Premier League outings.
In his place, however, Callum Wilson has been stealing the spotlight. Indeed, the 30-year-old has grabbed six goals and two assists in nine league appearances this term, bouncing back from injury issues of his own in doing so.
With that in mind, while speaking on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, Stokes has questioned how the two will fit together when Isak is fit to return to action for Newcastle.
He explained: “I think Eddie Howe’s got a real headache on his hands when Alexander Isak comes back with what he does in terms of changing the setup, or does he move Isak on the right?”
Will we see Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson start up front together for Newcastle United?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Alexander Isak and Newcastle United…
So far, the two are yet to play together under Howe, so this issue has not been something for the Newcastle manager to consider. Indeed, Wilson returned from injury against Fulham, while Isak’s last appearance came in the match prior against Bournemouth.
Both men have operated as a striker, and with the Magpies using two wingers and one centre-forward in every league game so far – essentially in a 4-3-3 system – as opposed to a central striking pair, it remains unclear if the duo could start in the same team.
Taking everything into account, it will certainly be interesting to see how Howe approaches the situation. With Wilson playing so well, it seems unlikely that he would be dropped, but Isak cost so much that he will surely expect to start games.
With that in mind, perhaps the Swede will have to settle for a role on one of the flanks.