Chelsea legend John Terry has become the latest high-profile figure to criticise Alexander Isak for the manner in which he left Newcastle United for Liverpool.
Isak’s desire to leave Newcastle United and join Liverpool was painful but, sadly, understandable.
The Reds won the Premier League title with ease last season and appear to be building a brilliant team under Arne Slot as they target more success.
Isak has also doubled his wages by joining Liverpool and, as one of the world’s best strikers, he had every right to want to do that.
Still, wanting to leave was never the issue. It was the fact that Isak forced Newcastle to sell him to Liverpool, effectively going on strike to leave the club in a very difficult position.
Alan Shearer has criticised Isak for his behaviour, among others.
Now, all-time Premier League great Terry has shared his view.
Chelsea U21 coach John Terry.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
The former England captain was speaking to talkSPORT.
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Terry is of the belief that the Newcastle United squad almost certainly let Isak know how they were feeling about his decision to leave them in the lurch before he eventually left the club.
“I think if Isak would have stayed at Newcastle and expressed his determination to leave the football club but carried on training, carried on playing, I think the reception would have been very well received from everyone at Newcastle,” he said.
“I think that the way he behaved wasn’t the right way to go about it. I’m sure the players within the squad let him know that within the time as well.
“But I just think, nowadays we see players very badly advised.”
Interestingly, one member of the Newcastle squad had to be calmed down after a meeting was held about Isak.
Alexander Isak defends himself after Newcastle United saga
Speaking while away on international duty, Isak stressed that “not everyone has the full picture” about his move away from St James’ Park.
“It’s clear that not everyone has the whole picture, but that’s something for another day,” he told Swedish reporters as relayed by Sky Sports.
“I can’t control everything that is said or written but I’m glad I became a Liverpool player. That’s what I wanted and I’m happy about that.”
Like it or not, the Sweden star is allowed a right to respond to such criticism. It’s also worth noting that Dan Burn publicly wished Isak well at Liverpool.
It was an ugly saga and while Isak cannot really be defended, he is at least allowed to share his side of the story.
Whatever he says about it is justifiably unlikely to change the mood amongst the Newcastle United fanbase, however.