Alexander Isak has finally been told what he’s desperately needed to hear at Newcastle United by a defiant Eddie Howe.
Isak wants to leave Newcastle United amid interest from Liverpool and could well have played his final game for the club.
Howe admits he doesn’t know if Isak will return to Newcastle training, despite the fact he’s now back in the UK.
The Sweden striker missed the club’s pre-season tour of Asia with what was described as a “minor thigh injury”, though later undertook an individual fitness regime at former club Real Sociedad.
The optics have been dreadful throughout this saga. The forward, who was approaching iconic status on Tyneside having scored the winning goal in the Carabao Cup final, has invoked the ire of supporters due to what some could see as a lack of respect for the club.
Howe has been supportive of Isak but at times it’s felt as if the Newcastle United manager isn’t being overly critical because of the small chance remaining that the striker stays at the club.
Things took a turn on Sunday, however.
Alexander Isak and Eddie Howe embrace during a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Eddie Howe’s warning to Alexander Isak
Howe was speaking after the pre-season tour of Asia came to an end with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham in Seoul.
With Isak potentially returning to the Newcastle United training ground this week, Howe insisted that players who behave poorly cannot expect to train with their teammates as normal.
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He suggested that Newcastle will not simply be pushed around by one player, no matter how good he is.
“You have to earn the right to train with us,” he told The Daily Mail.
“We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad – you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.
“We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.”
Eddie Howe has just issued the perfect response to Alexander Isak
Fans will no doubt be delighted by Howe’s comments. The club have finally responded, refusing to let the striker dictate the situation. It’s not up to Isak or Liverpool to push Newcastle around here.
The fact Isak wants to leave is gutting. He’s the star man and Newcastle are a much better side with him in the team.
Alexander Isak playing for Newcastle United against Everton in the Premier League.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Still, Isak is unhappy at Newcastle and there are reasons to be. He was annoyed he didn’t get a new contract in 2024 despite a supposed promise from Amanda Staveley, while there have been claims the former Borussia Dortmund forward wanted Newcastle to show more ambition.
Liverpool would surely offer a significant increase in wages, and they are much more likely to win major trophies in the immediate future.
Wanting to go isn’t really the issue, however. Newcastle think Isak has been badly advised but he is not bigger than the club itself.
There is a way of leaving a football club. Isak might have his reasons, but it’s brilliant to see Howe stand up for Newcastle themselves.
It’s felt as if Isak has needed to hear that for a while.