Thierry Henry has given his thoughts on being compared to Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak as the in-form Swede continues to shine on the Premier League stage.
It has been a campaign to remember for Isak, who became the seventh-fastest player to reach 50 Premier League goals on Sunday as he netted a quickfire brace against Nottingham Forest.
The 25-year-old achieved the impressive feat in just 76 league games, which is faster than the likes of Wayne Rooney, Sergio Aguero, Robin van Persie and Harry Kane, to name just a few.
He even reached the landmark before Thierry Henry, a player who is regarded by many as the Premier League's greatest.
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As a result of his superb form at club level – not to mention his distinctive play style – Isak has been likened to the Frenchman by many fans and pundits, including former Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott.
"As a player he is something pretty unique in the Premier League right now, and for me he is the closest thing we have seen to another Thierry Henry," he told BBC Sport. "I would say he is this generation’s Henry, but with extra attributes in the air."
With that being said, SPORTbible brought up those comparisons when we got the chance to speak to Thierry as part of the 'No Lay’s, No Game' campaign featuring Barcelona forward Alexia Putellas.
Asked for his thoughts on Isak as a player, Henry analysed Isak's strengths as a number nine before discussing what he brings to Eddie Howe's Newcastle.
"First and foremost, I don't like comparisons. People like to compare eras and players. He is himself and he is doing extremely well," said Henry after the comparison was brought up in conversation.
"He is a player that I like because he has the normal movement of a number nine. A lot of 'nines' these days don't perform those movements, so suddenly you're like, 'Oh my god, did he just spin on that defender?'
"More often that not these days, nines need to hold it and feed the wingers, or play off them. It's a different job for a number nine these days. In my time, the nine was often one-vs-one at the back. Now, they have to dribble past two or three centre-backs. It's way more difficult in my eyes for a nine to perform."
Henry added: "Yes, you can tell me they have a lot of crosses with wingers but more often or not, they come inside, unlike [Ryan] Giggs and [Keith] Gillespie who would go down the line and cross."
Henry, who scored 228 goals in 376 games for Arsenal, would often take up wide positions during a game – and that versatility allowed him to flourish in a central striker role or on the wing.
Isak is capable of doing exactly that, with Henry commenting on his ability to make things happen from all angles.
"What do I like about him? He has the normal movement of a nine. He sees someone who is too close to him, he'll go, spin and go in behind," the 47-year-old said.
"He can finish, he can dribble, and isn't uncomfortable when he goes in from the right or left. He still knows what he can do, that must be from his days playing at Real Sociedad when he used to play on the wings at times. He is a good player, you have to say that."
Asked what Isak can improve on going forward, Henry continued: "You can always improve on everything. I say, 'Do what you do even better.' And that comes with you playing. That comes with you being at a club where, right now, they look at him to bail them out."
"That also brings stuff out of you," he added. "You're in a situation where, if they [your teammates] don't score, then I need to. When you're becoming 'the guy' in the team, it gives you wings.
"Sometimes, it can be a bit too heavy but he looks like a guy who accepts it and embraces that. The sky's the limit for him. Who knows how far he is going to go. That's on him to show us."
Topics: Thierry Henry, Spotlight, Newcastle United, Alexander Isak, Premier League
Jack Kenmare