Andy Carroll has become the next figure to weigh in on Alexander Isak’s intent to leave Newcastle United this summer.
While the club should be praised for the signings they have made this summer, a lot of the talk has been on the future of the Magpies’ star striker.
Alexander Isak has not played a single game for Newcastle United since May, having missed the pre-season tour of Asia and Sela Weekender at St James’ Park. The 25-year-old has told the club that he is exploring his options away from Tyneside this summer amid serious interest from Liverpool.
However, Newcastle do not want to sell Isak, which has made the striker very frustrated. PIF have even got involved in conversations with Isak in an effort to persuade their star man to stay for another season.
Recent reports have stated that Isak is on strike from Newcastle to force a move away, with his absence extending to Newcastle’s goalless draw against Aston Villa on Saturday. With Isak still digging his heels in, former Newcastle man Andy Carroll has given the Sweden international a reality check about what the situation will mean for his future.
- Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer
Andy Carroll says Alexander Isak has lost the respect of Newcastle United fans
In a way, Carroll can relate to how Isak is currently feeling at Newcastle. The academy graduate, now playing for National League South side Dagenham and Redbridge, forced a move to Liverpool on deadline day in 2011, though it was far from a success.
Now, Carroll is keen to ensure that Isak does not make the same mistake he made by forcing his way out of Newcastle.
“Being from Newcastle, I didn’t really want to leave. Didn’t want to go. I wanted to stay. And it was tough when I did go,” Carroll said on Sky Sports.
“But Isak’s not from Newcastle, so he can act like he’s acting now and think it’s acceptable.
“It’s a big move for him. The way he’s playing his cards at the minute, the Newcastle fans are not going to back him, he’s not going to help himself, and it’s a shame because he’s such a good player and every Newcastle fan wants him to stay, the manager wants him to stay.
“It’s not really the same as me because it’s not his club. The Geordies took him in and made him one of their own but when he wants to go, that’s his mind changed.”
Alexander Isak has to come to his senses amid Newcastle United saga
Carroll has got his statement about Isak bang on. The Swede cannot expect to make his way back into the first team without consequences. He has completely lost the trust of the Newcastle fans, and that could spread into how his teammates feel about him.
Eddie Howe has confirmed that Isak is not ready to return to the first team picture while the transfer speculation is ongoing, but it is difficult to see his situation lasting much longer if he is still a Newcastle player when the transfer window closes.
The Sweden international is entering the peak years of his career, and with it being a World Cup year, there is no chance he will want to sit out for the entirety of the campaign and diminish the big chance he has of being included in the squad.
It is simple, Isak has to come to his senses and put all the transfer speculation behind him. Whether it is with a statement or an agreement with Howe, something has to be done.
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