At one point, Alexander Isak looked destined to be the heir to Alan Shearer’s throne as Newcastle United’s No.9 and the best striker not just in the Premier League, but arguably all of world football.
Instead, the last fortnight of transfer developments has instead damaged Isak’s standing with the Toon fanbase, with many now content to see him depart this summer.
Shearer himself looks to be one of them, and has issued a strong message to the wantaway Swede concerning how he has so openly pushed for a move to Liverpool.
A mix of sympathy but also a scathing criticism of his actions, Shearer’s words will certainly resonate with much of the fanbase.
Having been subject to transfer rumours throughout his legendary career, Shearer knows first hand the kind of situation Isak is currently in, and does express an element of sympathy towards Isak.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer comments “No, I’m not angry at all towards him, I understand how football works, I know what happens in and around the game.”
But the Premier League’s all time top goalscorer has instead condemned the 25-year-old and his agent for how they’ve approached the rumours and speculation, saying that Isak should have remained committed to the club throughout it all.
“I probably understand his mentality. Do I like it? Do I understand it? Probably two different things. But I know what football is about and I know how it works, and obviously Liverpool have been into him or his agent.”
There’s arguments both for and against keeping Alexander Isak at the club for at least another year. Only Mo Salah outright scored more goals than him in the Premier League last season, but having a player so keen to move away is a headache in terms of keeping squad morale high.
Shearer echoes many fans thoughts with his comments however.
“I just thought it might have happened next year and if it really is impossible for Eddie to turn him around and he says no, and it sounds like that is the case, I want him to be out now, you get your big money for him, whoever’s prepared to pay that and you get other people in, hopefully beforehand, and then you move on.“
With the club seemingly more open than ever to selling their star player, despite the public stance being that he’s not for sale at all, Shearer looks to have given his thumbs up on the idea of selling Isak this summer if things continue the way they are going.
“As I said, no individual is bigger than any football club, and if he doesn’t want to be there, fine, get what you can and get him out and say thanks very much for the memories, off you go.”