Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres: A Tale of Two Strikers and One Disappointed Nation

Let’s talk about Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. The two Swedish strikers, fresh off a summer of high-stakes, drama-filled transfers totaling a jaw-dropping £185 million, were supposed to be the saviors of their national team. Instead, they delivered a performance so spectacularly underwhelming against Switzerland that it has left Sweden’s World Cup hopes dangling by a shoelace.

In a crucial World Cup qualifier, where heroes are supposed to rise to the occasion, the duo managed to not even test the Swiss goalkeeper. Not once. Let that sink in. A combined £185 million of attacking talent couldn’t produce a single shot on target. Isak, bless his heart, did manage to rattle the crossbar early on, a fleeting moment of “what could have been” before the inevitable disappointment set in. The 2-0 defeat was more than just a loss; it was an embarrassment that plonked Sweden at the bottom of their group with a pathetic single point from three games.

So, How Did We Get Here, Isak?

You can’t really discuss Isak’s on-pitch struggles without mentioning the absolute circus that was his summer transfer. The man wanted out of Newcastle, and he wasn’t exactly subtle about it. We’re talking about missing pre-season fixtures, training alone, and then publicly accusing the club of “broken promises.” It was the kind of messy breakup you’d expect to see on a reality TV show, not from a professional athlete.

Newcastle initially played hardball, rejecting a hefty £110 million bid from Liverpool, but eventually caved when the offer was bumped up. Was it worth it? For Liverpool, the jury is still out. For Isak’s fitness and form, the verdict is a resounding “no.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison didn’t mince his words, calling Isak’s behavior “unprofessional and naive.” He pointed out the obvious: whether he was staying at Newcastle or moving to Liverpool, he needed to be match-fit. Instead, Isak chose to down tools, sacrificing his own conditioning in a selfish power play. As Hutchison brutally put it, “He’s playing catch-up and it’s because of how he behaved.” You can’t argue with that logic. Now, instead of hitting the ground running at one of the world’s biggest clubs, he’s stumbling, trying to find his footing while his national team crashes and burns.

Isak’s Partner in Crime: Gyokeres’ Underwhelming Start

And what about Viktor Gyokeres? After scoring goals for fun at Sporting—an insane 97 goals in 102 games—Arsenal splashed £60 million to bring him to the Emirates. His departure from Portugal was also mired in controversy, with Sporting’s president openly criticizing his behavior to force the move.

So far, his Arsenal career has been… fine. Just fine. Three goals in ten appearances isn’t exactly setting the Premier League on fire. It’s a far cry from the prolific machine he was in the Primeira Liga. And his performance for Sweden? Utterly anonymous. He and Isak looked less like a dynamic duo and more like two strangers who just met in the tunnel.

Can Sweden Still Make it to the World Cup?