Alexander Isak of Newcastle United in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC at St James' Park on May 11, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC at St James' Park on May 11, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Everything Eddie Howe said on Alexander Isak’s current situation at Newcastle United amid interest from Liverpool.
In a 15-minute sit-down with the media after Friday’s 2-2 draw with Espanyol, Howe revealed Isak is NOT injured and admitted he would love to involve the player in first-team training.
Isak missed the club’s pre-season tour of Asia and instead travelled to Spain to train at former club Real Sociedad. The Sweden international has been training alone at the club’s training ground, with Howe’s comments strongly suggesting it is the player’s choice.
Read in between in the lines... here’s everything Howe said on the Isak situation.
What’s happening with Alexander Isak?
EH: “We've had discussions and it's clear at the moment that we can't involve him with the group. So, yeah, I don't know how long that will be for.That's the latest.”
When you say you can't involve him with the group, is that your choice or is that his choice?
EH: “I think I'd rather just leave it with that line. I think the discussions between us have to remain private.But it's clear I can't involve him with the team.”
When you say you can't involve him with the group, is that your choice or is that his choice?
EH: “He's here, of course he has a future at Newcastle. Certainly from our perspective, everyone connected with the club, we would love to see him back with the team. But the situation has to be right for that time.”
Is he being disciplined at all?
EH: “No, I don't think so. I think he's trained later than the rest of the squad. There's been discussions since the tour and everything that happened in between that. But in terms of disciplinary action, I don't think that's happening.
Does there come a point with Alex where the club has to draw a line and say, ‘you stay?’ Is it not that straightforward?
EH: “I don't think it's that straightforward, otherwise, we would have done that a long time ago. I don't think we're in a position to be able to do that currently. I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't think that's right.I think I've probably said enough.”
Eddie, have you seen enough from Alex to suggest that he still does want to play for this club?
EH: “I don't think we've gone into that. We've had discussions, but we haven't gone there. So probably best not to comment on that.”
Do you still think he'll play for this club?
EH: “Again, whether you've got a Premier League game next week? Well, he's here and he's contracted to us, so as long as he's in that position, there is of course a chance that he could play for Newcastle again. But I don't know what the future will hold.”
How long will it be fitness-wise until his thigh injury is recovered?
EH: “No, his thigh injury is recovered. He's got no fitness issues.”
With each passing day, Alex being a Newcastle player, come Aston Villa next weekend, looks like it's more likely. If that is the case, would you want, would you try to persuade him to play in that game and what are the chances of that happening?
EH: “I'd want Alex to be playing today. I'd want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us. “Let me make that absolutely clear, there is no part of me that doesn’t want that outcome. But I don’t see that changing [the current situation] before Aston Villa.”
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