So much has been made about Alexander Isak’s situation at Newcastle United in recent weeks.
There were just 130 days between Isak scoring the winner for Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final and reports emerging that he’d asked to leave the club.
Isak is not available for Newcastle amid interest from Liverpool and his conduct has been questioned.
Newcastle fans turned on Isak during Saturday’s draw with Aston Villa, aiming angry chants towards the Sweden striker after the club’s Premier League opener.
It didn’t have to be like this. Isak is well within his rights to want to leave but to tarnish his legacy in the process is bitterly disappointing.
Liverpool haven’t made a bid that’s worth considering, either. The whole situation is an ugly mess and one that shows little sign of improving any time soon.
With that in mind, here’s a look at what some of the Swedish media are saying.
- Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer
Swedish media react to Alexander Isak saga
Isak is obviously one of Sweden’s most high-profile players and will be crucial in their hopes to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 25-year-old has scored 16 goals in 52 games for his country but has never played in the World Cup after they failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Writing in one of Sweden’s leading sport outlets, FotbollSkanalen columnist Olof Lundh gave his view of the Isak impasse at Newcastle.
“Of course it is surprising that he is acting in this way,” he wrote.
“Blaming agents is too easy. Obviously he wants more opportunities to win trophies and probably earn more than he can at Newcastle. Right or wrong? Yes, it is wrong not to honour contracts, but this is a rotten world that is difficult to navigate.
“It is much easier for everything from experts and columnists to supporters to go after a player who wants to leave. Traitor! There is quite a bit of support for all players in clubs who are frozen out of the business because the club wants to get rid of them despite their current contracts.”
Eddie Howe supports Newcastle United fans who turned on Alexander Isak
Howe backed the Newcastle fans after their chants towards Isak, claiming they were “free” to say whatever they wanted.
The Newcastle United manager said: “Whatever happens, I think the support has acted really well today because they supported the team.
“Not everything has been plain sailing but they’ve always been with the team. And then if afterwards they want to say something, I think they’re very free to do that.”
With every passing day, it seems more likely that Isak will stay at Newcastle. Whether that’s a good idea or not given the level of fan frustration remains to be seen.
Isak will never be as loved as he once was. That may not bother him all too much, but it does stand to make the season ahead incredibly awkward if he really is kept at St James’ Park.
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