Alan Pardew has given his verdict on Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe leaving Alexander Isak out for the 4-0 defeat to Celtic on Saturday.
Problems off the field appear to have made their way onto it over the last week, and it was evident when the Magpies were humiliated by a fit and ready Celtic side in Glasgow.
Newcastle United were well beaten by Celtic in their first pre-season game in front of a crowd, with the Hoops putting four past Eddie Howe’s side.
However, the big story was Alexander Isak’s omission from Newcastle’s matchday squad. Initial comments suggested the Swede was still suffering from a groin problem which forced him out of post-season international games, but it was later revealed that Howe himself chose to keep Isak out of the Celtic game.
The Newcastle boss decided against it on the basis that Isak was not in the right headspace due to constant speculation around his future. Isak is subject to serious interest from Liverpool, with the Reds making an informal approach for him last week.
Newcastle are adamant Isak is not for sale, but the transfer saga looks set to last the whole summer. With Isak set to travel to Asia for the Magpies’ tour of the Far East, former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has given his verdict on the transfer saga.
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Alan Pardew suggests Alexander Isak’s head has been turned amid Liverpool links
Isak agreed he should miss the Celtic friendly. Howe decided to keep him in Newcastle instead of having him watch the game from the stands, as fellow teammate Joelinton did.
His omission sparked discussion from many avenues, including from Pardew, whose words may not be taken well by Newcastle fans.
On TalkSPORT, Pardew said: “Reading between the lines, it looks very much like the player’s affected, I would suggest. “So, Eddie made a sensible move and just took it out of the equation.
“When players want to move they make it fundamentally clear in their actions and can cause a problem. Has Isak’s head been turned? I would suggest possibly yes, so they’ve got a battle on there. Eddie’s trying to play it down but it won’t go away until Liverpool conduct their business.”
“The other players, the senior players, usually side with the player, regardless of what the club decide to do,” Pardew added. “They all want to progress in their career, a bigger contract, a bigger club, don’t think they don’t, they do.
“The Liverpool thing, I would suggest the other players are not that bothered. They obviously want him to stay because he could bring success to the club. But one day that could be them, so they want to see that the club are treating the players correctly. You have to try and find a fine balance.
“Newcastle have lost big players to Liverpool in the past. Beardsley, Andy Carroll when I was there. I know what Newcastle fans are like, they won’t want it to happen but they’ll be slightly nervous tonight.”
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Alexander Isak can silence the speculation during Newcastle United pre-season
It has been confirmed that Isak will travel to Asia with the Newcastle squad for games in Singapore and South Korea. He has the chance to get back up to speed ahead of next season with games against Arsenal, a K-League XI and Tottenham Hotspur.
Trips abroad will surely give Isak the chance to switch off and focus on football and Newcastle. He will have questions asked about his future post-match, but he will surely be briefed on how to answer them.
Newcastle fans will hope he answers with statements of commitment to the Magpies, and concrete assurances that he will be part of Howe’s squad next season. In the meantime, Newcastle must work on a new contract for Isak.
A new deal is the only way of silencing speculation around his future for the next year at least. Talks over a new deal are set to take place later this summer, but they should really be accelerated with the amount of speculation there is.
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