Alexander Isak and Newcastle United are doing their best to move on from each other.
The 25-year-old scored his first Liverpool goal on Tuesday night, in the same game that saw Hugo Ekitike get sent off in ridiculous fashion. As for Newcastle United, they are adapting to a new style of play after bringing in a completely different striker in Nick Woltemade.
Newcastle have high hopes for Woltemade, who is now their most expensive signing ever. They will have ambitions of him developing into a world class player at St James’ Park, just like they did for Isak when he joined the club in 2022.
Isak signed a six-year deal with the Magpies, but left after three. However, in the eyes of former Sweden and Celtic defender Mikael Lustig, Isak was never going to spend the full six years at Newcastle United.
Mikael Lustig says Newcastle United were a ‘stepping stone’ for Alexander Isak
In an interview with Sportbladet, Lustig has stated that he thought Newcastle United were a ‘stepping stone’ for Isak, believing he was always destined to join an even bigger club.
“You are of course torn, as I know Isak and know what an incredibly nice and humble guy he is,” he said.
“You may see it with slightly different eyes compared to other players that you have no relationship with.
“I don’t know if he has been promised things, but Isak is Swedish and came from Real Sociedad. I don’t think he had a dream to play six years in Newcastle. When he went there, I thought it was a stepping stone for him to the biggest clubs in the world.”
Mikael Lustig highlights key PIF problem at Newcastle United
Newcastle United were a ‘stepping stone’ during the Mike Ashley era. Players joined the club because they knew they could get a bigger move.
That should not be the case in the PIF era, but the Isak situation highlights a key issue for the Newcastle United owners.
In Isak, they had one of the best players in the world. There are not many strikers out there as good as him, and he understandably wanted to play for one of the biggest clubs and compete for the biggest trophies.
At this moment in time, Newcastle United cannot offer that. To keep the best, you have to be the best. Footballers’ careers are short, which is probably why Isak went to the extremes he did to get the move he felt he needed. The way he acted was disgraceful, but it got him where he wanted to be.
PIF do have ambitions of Newcastle United being one of the biggest clubs in the world, but that is going to take a lot of time. Until they reach that level, there will always be the risk of another Isak situation.
The Magpies are capable of attracting high potential players, while Eddie Howe has the ability to turn them into superstars. He did it with Isak, which has ultimately led to the Premier League champions wanting him to be their number nine.
Until Newcastle United get to the top, there will be players like Isak who see the club as part of their journey rather than their final destination.
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