Alexander Isak of Newcastle United reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St James' Park on May 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.placeholder image
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St James' Park on May 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. | Getty Images
Everything Eddie Howe said on Alexander Isak as Newcastle United prepare for Aston Villa opener.
The Magpies begin the season away to Aston Villa on Saturday, but the actions of Isak has taken the focus away. Isak is currently refusing to play for Newcastle in an attempt to force a move to Liverpool.
Here’s everything Howe said on the Isak situation ahead of the visit to Villa Park.
What is the latest with Alexander Isak and has anything changed this week?
“No, there's been no change to the situation. All my focus has been on the training, on Aston Villa, on the transfer front in terms of trying to get players in. And you can imagine that that is all-consuming for me.
“So Alex's situation has been unchanged for a while and that will continue to be the case, I think.”
Given everything that's going on and the difficulties associated with it, do you feel that you still have a good relationship with Alexander Isak?
“I've had a great relationship with Alex. I think you need to have that partnership with every player. I take my part of that relationship really, really importantly, I think, in the respect that I have to work really closely with the player to his benefit, to try and improve them, to try and help them, to try and educate them, sometimes console them.
“There's so many different emotions that players go through and I always want to be there for them in every way. Me and Alex have enjoyed a great relationship. I don't think he'd have done as well as he's done without that and without his teammates and without the supporters and the backing of the whole football club.
“He recognises that as well. He's a highly intelligent person and he knows he wouldn't have had the success here without everybody connected with Newcastle. This is a different moment for him and for us and we're working through that together.”
To what extent do you feel this has had an impact on the other players?
“Certainly early pre-season. I haven't shied away from the fact that was a difficult period for the players, for us, because any change is always difficult to react to and I think you could see a bit of that in some of our early pre-season performances.
“But I think the players are really strong mentally. They're a really tight group. They've really come together in the latter stages of pre-season. The mood's been good, the spirit's been good, the performances have been better. So although it's not ideal and we know that, I think the group's reacted really well.”
Do you think in some ways it's maybe brought the rest of the squad closer together?
“I think sometimes these things can have that effect. I think we were really, really close anyway, I don't know if I could necessarily sit here and look you in the eye and say it's brought us closer together, but I do think sometimes these things can happen and it can unify you in a way that you didn't know possible. Certainly I think the resolve and the strength of the group is there.
“They realise that without Alex everyone's going to have to step up and give more in order for us to get results because it's not an ideal situation. So I think that's the focus and that's what we're planning to do.”
Have you asked them if you'd play tomorrow?
“I think those conversations, of course I've said many times during this summer I want him to play, I want him to train and of course I've had those conversations with him, but I think the details of those conversations need to remain private.”
Do the players this weekend almost have to forget about Alex?
“Yes, well I think we do. He's not here with us, so we have to focus on who is here and get the best out of every single player in the squad that's fit and available. That's always been the way.
“I think the players will be aware that he's not here, but I don't think the focus will be on that. The focus will be on making sure that they play to the best of their ability, each and every player. That's all we can do.”
When the final whistle blew last season and you secured Champions League football, was there any part of you that thought Alex Isak wouldn't be available for the opening game of the season?
“That was the furthest thing from my mind. Trust me, when that final whistle went, it was just a feeling of relief, really, because we'd sort of been hunting that prize all season. We were in and around it after a really good run in December.
“I wasn't thinking about any individual in that moment, and I can't really give you an answer to that.”
Throughout the summer, though, did you think that Champions League qualification had put to bed any issues with Alex?
“It's just not dependent on Alex. My thinking's not on just one player. I think Champions League qualification was important for the squad in general because we've got some outstanding players that want to play and compete in the best competitions.
“So certainly I had a feeling that that would help us keep the majority of the squad together because, as I say, I'm sure we've got players that are coveted by other clubs.
“So that is a big part of what we need to do on a regular basis. We need to keep the momentum in the club and the performances and the results for the long-term success.”
Is the Isak situation holding up other business?
“We've been looking to sign a striker all summer. We lost Callum Wilson at the end of last year so a striker was a necessity for us all through the window. That's not changed, we're still in that position. Of course, for loads of different reasons we haven't been able to sign one, but we still have time to do that.”
To that end, is there disappointment in the manner in which this has played out?
“I don't think now is the time for me to critique that. I think it would be wrong for me to do so. But I think Alex would be the first person to acknowledge that as well. He's not ever given any indication that he's done this on his own, his career progression.
“The team has to function for any centre-forward to score and he's the first to admit that his love for his teammates and the style of play has greatly helped him. So there's certainly no issue on that side.”
Is there a scenario in which you would be okay with going with Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga to a lesser extent plus one other, plus a signing, until January if that were to be the case?
“I'll go with whatever hand I'm dealt. That's always been my way of thinking, again going back to an earlier point of not giving excuses or looking for excuses because I think that spreads right through the squad.
“The idea would be that we sign a striker. I think we need one irrespective of what happens to Alex's situation. With the amount of games I think we need that and that's what we're trying to do.”
What is the board's view of his current situation and his behaviour?
“I think the board needs to discuss that with you. I don't think I can do that. From the whole situation really, I've become detached from it because the demands on my job and my time are so extreme that I don't have time to be dealing with that on a daily basis.
“So, other people have been dealing with that situation and really for clarity on their thoughts, I think you need to ask them.”
Is there a way back for Alex at Newcastle?
“Yes, I believe there is, but of course discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen. But that's again for another day.
“Today is Aston Villa and making sure we prepare as well as we can. I know I understand why your questions are filled with that subject, but it doesn't really help us in this moment. It's hard enough as it is without being totally focused on the game ahead.”
How is Alexander Isak right now?
“I don't know the full answer to that because I'm not with him enough to give you a full definitive answer. I believe he's fine. I have seen him and spoke with him and yes, he seems okay.”
Do you worry about a player training at his own for this amount of time?
“In what respect? “
That he's not with his teammates, that he's not going through all the stuff you do before games and pre-season?
“Yes, of course. It's not anything you ever want to see. You want to see him with the squad, you want to see him happy, enjoying his football. He's contracted to us, he's here. So for me, that's an unfortunate situation.”
Nobody can tell the future about Alex Isak but from your experience in the past, how easy or hard is it for players to be reintegrated when something like this happens? “
“I think all options and potential scenarios are open and available to Alex. I don't think any door is closed. Ultimately, it's going to depend on him and what happens in his situation. Then he will dictate that to a degree and we will facilitate it and obviously try and get the best result for us and Newcastle.”
Do you think there's a chance he could play at all before September 1 or do you effectively think until the transfer window finishes?
“I don't know. As I sit here now, I don't know. Again, Alex will control that.”
How have you gone about keeping out the noise this week ahead of a game?
“I don't think you can fully keep it out because the world we live in now where the players are accessing social media, they have access to it, they're going to live in that world because they've been in that for the majority of their lives.
“So I think the big message comes from us when they're here and how we conduct ourselves and the messages we give them. And I say the feeling's much improved within the squad I think the last couple of weeks and that's been great to see.”
Is it maybe not as simple as convincing Alexander Isak to play for the club again or him deciding he wants to play for the club again?
“To a degree. I think in order for any player, this is not Alex related, but to play well in the team, you have to be in that mental place where you want to play. You want to represent, you want to be with your teammates and your coaching staff and you want to do well. The league's so hard that if you're not there, the games can become very difficult very quickly.”
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