Eddie Howe spoke proudly and decisively on the current Alexander Isak situation before the team returned to England from the Far East earlier in the week.
The Head Coach told the world last Sunday that you need to ‘earn the right’ to train as normal with your teammates at Newcastle United.
On Wednesday, Howe followed through, showing his words were not empty, as Isak arrived at the club’s Benton training ground, alone, at 16:00 after the rest of the squad had trained and enjoyed a ‘team bonding and family day’ together.
The manager has been true to his word and at this point, it seems the Swede is out in the cold at United, and from the outside looking in it looks brutal, banishing potentially your best player on the eve of a crucial new season, but it was an example Howe had to make; sending Isak a strong message: that you can’t just ditch your teammates in training, not turn up to a pre-season tour you’re contracted to go on and a huge commercial trip for your club, then expect to come in when it suits you.
Talks took place between the manager and player with reports of Howe leaving after around 45 mins before Isak then trained alone. Oh, to have been a fly-on-the-wall in that room. I would expect Eddie to have reminded Isak about the employer/employee relationship (without completely shutting the door), despite as we all know, football being a vastly different business than the usual.
A Mexican Standoff?
It appears that this could be the start of a situation where no party can achieve a reasonable victory, especially during this transfer window. It’s unconscionable that Newcastle let Isak leave without a replacement, and the club appears to be really struggling to get a replacement in (of the correct quality/potential ability). And I certainly wouldn’t sell Isak to Liverpool before we play them in early August – that is the definition of insanity! (I wouldn’t sell him to them full stop but…)
From Isak’s point of view, he wants to explore his options, but he’s gone about it in completely the wrong manner and hasn’t bought himself any goodwill and burning bridges, seemingly overnight, with some fans. If he’d trained and gone on the club tour AND expressed a desire to leave, I am sure things would be different. There is a way to act, and Isak has either been poorly advised or he is a hell of an actor, as thousands of fans never saw this coming from the player across his hundreds of club media appearances.
Message sent; what next?
Having been turned down by seemingly all our top striker targets, I’m not sure there’s anywhere else for United to turn (and Nicholas Jackson, ain’t it). If the transfer window were to shut tomorrow, Isak would have to be reintegrated because we cannot go until January with Will Osula, Anthony Gordon, and Sean Neave as our striking options; it would be season suicide.
I can’t be the only one who feels this whole situation is a little sad just a few short months on from the Carabao Cup final? How we got here; whether it’s through broken promises to the player, the club shambles at board level, a player wanting to win things ‘unattainable at United’, having his ‘head turned’, or he’s poorly advised or, as is likely, a combination of all those things, it’s just gutting as it didn’t need to be this way.
Howe had to be strong; he’s put down a marker and acted like a manager should, but he knows he needs to leave the door open for reconciliation, as there is every chance, with it less than a fortnight away, we go into the new season with Isak as our main striker.
There is no evidence of a broken agreement with isak .. Eddie himself said early in the season a contract would be talked about at the end of the season he has a 5 year contract which had 4 years to run including last season ! ., Many clubs have lost officials and board members including Arsenal and Man City ., it’s normal in multi million sports business .., I think it’s isak and his agent want more money and of course Liverpool are an amazing and attractive club .. problem this window is that chelsea Man Utd and Liverpool all wanted a striker all at the same time ..I really don’t think it’s the club or anyone’s fault though the media have made a lot of content out of the speculation ., I agree with Olly that Jackson is not for Newcastle but I am optimistic we will have some quality players alongside Elanga Ramsdale and the Korean lad by sept 1st
Mike(Quote)
I think it’s really important for fans to know that Isak HAS been offered a new contract by NUFC and it would have improved his wages to 200k a week with bonuses – making him the highest paid player ahead of Bruno who’s on 160k.
It was immediately refused by Isak & his team who believe he should be paid in conjunction with the best players in Europe.
We can blame Liverpool for causing unrest if that’s easier, but I suspect there would still have been fallout anyway – because his demands are far higher than the club can afford to go.
Nobody is bigger than NUFC and I’m pleased Howe kept him away from the family day yesterday!! – why should his antics affect the rest of the squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We need to cut our nose to spite our face. Isak has three years left on his contract. Put him in the under 21s. If he refuses to train/play, dock his wages. Leave him to rot for three years. Destroy his career. Set a precedent that no one fxcks with our club.
Rotobob(Quote)
i would leave him to rot with reserves or on his own he has behaved really badly no loyalty at all howe is doing the right thing if he played i dont think he would give his all i still dont think hes world class only as good as players around him jacob murphy in particular
jen(Quote)
Harvey Elliott clearly isn’t in Slots plans – personally I would look to try and swing this Isak situation back in our favour a little bit.
I would add Elliott to the deal & take their £110m – if Elliott is valued at £40m then there’s the £150m we are wanting.
Liverpool may come back, but I don’t see them going to £150m and if we play hardball, there is every likelihood we are left with a disgruntled player for a season and he leaves next summer anyway – BUT this could derail our entire season if this drags on through it.
Isak isn’t gonna turn out like he did last season after all this, so we are better off getting rid.
Elliott would be an excellent addition to our squad imo and the £110m buys – Wissa at £35m, Watkins or Ramos at £60m – £95m. Add a further £15m to that change & we buy Thiaw.
That’s 4 top quality additions to our squad for only £15m outlay.
Ok we lose Isak and that’s a huge negative – but that’s not us choosing to sell him, it would just be us taking control of a bad situation – something we didn’t do very well with Ashworth.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Or you effectively tell the world, don’t come here as we’ll ruin you if want to leave one day. We have to face facts for some players we will only be part of the journey. Admittedly Isak went about it in the wrong way, but devaluing our most saleable asset isn’t the way.
Eddie will do the right thing here, and if he stays I reckon Isak will be used in the best way possible to serve our needs before selling him for a bumper amount later.
Johnny Mac(Quote)
Isak wanted to explore his options but has found out that he only has two since no one other than Liverpool have shown any interest. His options are stay and play his best for the team or hope that Liverpool increase their offer. I don’t think that PIF will fold and accept a bid they have already rejected. If there is no improved offer or we can’t secure a suitable replacement he may be stuck in a situation he created for himself.
barry hutton(Quote)
The answer to the Isak problem can be simply solved by Newcastle response to Liverpool stating pay the £150,000,000 and he is yours let’s move on this would give us enough to buy two top quality players like Ollie Watkins and Mark Geahi job done Bill supporter for past 81 years
Bill FIsh(Quote)
Bill FIsh(Quote)
This is Newcastle united not Darlington show some respect as for 3 years ago nobody in this country would of known who you where. You were made here don’t forget that and when you injured or not playing to your best standards you will sit back in your chair and reflect that I had it really good at the toon but I got GREEDY for money silly lad…
Brian Emmerson(Quote)
We would be very happy to take Isak on loan for at least 3 months at Darlington FC. A few games in NLN at **** grounds with small crowds on bumpy pitches will help him realise how privileged he is to play for Newcastle United
JR Darlo(Quote)