Sweden have got two Premier League superstar strikers – and Graham Potter admits he wants to get them “firing” in the same team.
Viktor Gyokeres played under Potter at Brighton and has just helped Arsenal win the Premier League title in his first season at the Emirates.
Alexander Isak actually made his debut as a 16-year-old for AIK AGAINST Potter’s Ostersunds and has just endured a nightmare first year at Liverpool after his £125m move to Anfield.
But Sweden boss Potter has no doubt they can both play together this summer and help the nation go a long way. Potter said: “I think they’re different in their styles, which I think is good for us because then you can hopefully use them in a good way.
“The honest truth is that we haven’t played with them together yet in my time so that’s going to be exciting, to be able to develop that.
“Clearly, they are top players and top lads who are desperate to do well for the national team. The job is how we can use their attributes and qualities in the best way for us. Because if we can get them enjoying their football and if we can get them firing, they are top players.
“With Viktor, it’s a great example of the modern world and modern football. From our perspective, he’s scored four goals in two games and got us to the World Cup, so his impact has been incredible.
“He was a young player in the academy at Brighton. Obviously he ended up in Portugal [with Sporting]. And that’s another thing people don’t understand, you go from Portugal and then you come to the Premier League and there’s an adaptation that you have to have.
View 2 ImagesPotter wants to get his two strikers firing in tandem
“The fact that he has done that, and he’s contributed to the team, and the team is in this place, I think he’s had a brilliant season.
“Alex has had a difficult spell at Liverpool because of injury. But the player doesn’t change. His quality doesn’t change. He’s still a top, top, top player. It’s just how they interact as a team together. And if you make a lot of changes, it can take a bit of time.
“Unfortunately, sometimes, at the big clubs, the big change means big pressure and expectation; and then expectation versus reality, and as soon as that gap starts to become too big, you can have problems.
“Obviously, his injuries have been disappointing for him, but I know him. He’s a great, great lad, wants to play football and wants to help his team.
“Sometimes everybody’s career can go up and down, but the quality of the person and the quality of the player is undeniable from our perspective.”
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