Alexander Isak's 'down-to-earth' persona will help him cope with the pressures of being Newcastle United's biggest ever transfer, according to Sweden team-mate Mikael Lustig. The young forward arrives on Tyneside with a £58m burden on his shoulders following his Real Sociedad exit last month but has already notched for the Magpies after a superb debut against Liverpool.
While his first appearance was positive, the pressure seemed to take its toll somewhat as Isak hurtled towards the Gallowgate End with a huge opportunity to open the scoring against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The forward's unsuccessful dink over Victor Guaita was Newcastle 's best opportunity to open the scoring at St James' Park.
But Lustig, who has played with Isak for five years at international level, believes his fellow Swede has the persona and character to help him manage the huge price tag and be a success in the Premier League.
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“He got exactly the start you want. I talked with him when everything was done, then it wasn’t really time to write to him after the Liverpool match (laughs). I think he had a lot of messages then,” Lustig said.
“It is clear that there will always be talk of the price tag and there will be pressure on his shoulders. But those of us who know him know what a down-to-earth guy he is, he will handle it well. It will be nice to follow him,” he explained.
Isak burst onto the scene at Euro 2020, impressing on the global stage at the rescheduled tournament. After a stellar debut season at Sociedad, the goals dried up last term as a move away was mooted.
Newcastle tried to sign Isak early this summer but saw their opening interest rebuffed. However, the La Liga side eventually gave in to the Magpies' demands, allowing the striker a big-money Premier League move.
“I am very proud. We who have seen him and trained with him know that he has it in himself," Lustig added. "He perhaps stuck a little in Sociedad last year, I think this move will do him well."
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