Arsenal-linked Isak ‘better’ in one area than Man United target Gyokeres, claims former coach | OneFootball

A former coach of Viktor Gyokeres has described the “extraordinary” mentality and work ethic which has helped him to become one of Europe’s most in-form strikers.

Gyokeres, who has scored 30 goals for Sporting CP in 28 appearances this season, has been tipped for a big move next summer and a potential reunion with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.

And Dalibor Savic, who was the head coach of Brommapojkarna, one of Sweden’s top academies where he coached Gyokeres at under-19 level, praised the 26-year-old’s relentlessness and willingness to put in the extra work after training.

“Viktor came from a small club in Stockholm, from a suburb of Stockholm, so he was not as well known as other,” Savic revealed.

“But you could see that he was very determined, he was very strong, he was very fast, and he was very eager to learn and to develop into a good player.

“Working with Victor, I had him during the night, and the evenings, with the under 19, four sessions per week. But he also went to the school where all the players from Bromma went.

“So we were training daytime three times per week. So the total is seven trainings per week with Viktor in the coming two years and then he got promoted to the first team.

“His mindset is extraordinary because he’s very driven and determined. I will even call him stubborn. He never gives up. He was always working extra.

“I told you that I had him seven sessions a week, but I’m sure and I know that he was doing individual work two or three times per week by himself with a physical coach, with a technical coach, and with a strength coach.

“So he was always training. Of course, he’s talented, but he’s a really training product. His mindset and his focus to never give up is why he reached these levels.

“He was not the most talented guy in Brommapojkarna, but it’s also a talent to work hard and keep the level and consistency during the weeks and the years to progress and to be the player that you can be.

“I’m almost sure that even if he has reached Sporting Lisbon and he’s 26 or 27 years old now, he’s still working extra. I’m pretty sure of it.”

The 26-year-old has also scored 15 times in just 26 matches for Sweden but Savic says he still has to improve technically, pointing to his fellow countryman Alexander Isak.

“I think Alexander Isak has better technique, but I think Viktor is stronger and can work harder and can fight,” Savic claimed.

“He’s like a bulldozer, like a tank, running through the bricks of a wall. Going to the Premier League in top clubs, hopefully, he can prove me wrong because for me he’s a top player but to play in those teams he needs to be a world-class player.

“So that’s the next step for him. Is he a world-class player? Time will tell.”