Wayne Rooney has become the next person to weigh in on Alexander Isak’s current absence from Newcastle United’s squad.
With the Premier League season now underway, the transfer situation is getting to the point where there could be no way back for the 25-year-old.
Alexander Isak was missing for Newcastle United’s goalless draw against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, a game in which he would have thrived, given the chances some of his teammates had.
Pundits should have been talking about the likes of Anthony Elanga’s debut or Sandro Tonali’s exceptional performance for Newcastle. However, all the talk is around Isak, who has not featured for the Magpies since May.
Newcastle fans berated Isak in the stands at Villa Park, calling him ‘greedy’ and saying that they do not care about him. It is clear that the relationship between the player and the fans has gone, and there is a long way to go before trust can be rebuilt.
With Isak’s transfer saga continuing, Wayne Rooney has given his verdict on the situation, suggesting something the Sweden international will not want to hear.
Alexander Isak celebrates after Newcastle United win the Carabao Cup at Wembley Stadium.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney gives damning Alexander Isak verdict amid Newcastle United refusal
Sandro Tonali says the Newcastle squad is still together in Isak’s absence. Their refusal to play did not appear to put a dampener on the performance of Eddie Howe’s side by any means, but it was clear they were missing that top-quality striker to put away some of the chances they had.
The hope is that a replacement can soon be signed. Talks between Newcastle and Yoane Wissa will continue soon, but he is a replacement for Callum Wilson, rather than Isak.
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On Match of the Day, Rooney took aim at Isak for his current transfer situation, and even suggested that Liverpool may be put off signing him after the way he has dealt with forcing a move away.
“The Geordies are a passionate fanbase, it’s going to be hard for him to come back,” He said.
“But also for his teammates, I think as a teammate you expect your teammates to come and train every day to give everything on the training pitch and when you pull the shirt on to go and play.
“The fact that he is refusing to come in and train is very difficult for him to come back.
“He’s just gone about it in the wrong way. Maybe he’s getting advised wrongly. But also for Liverpool, you have to wonder if that is the sort of player you want. Someone who is going to desert his teammates and walk away from a huge football club.
“It’s a good opportunity to go to Liverpool, but it has to be done in the right way.”
What Eddie Howe said about Alexander Isak after the Aston Villa draw
Despite reports, Howe may never have thought the situation with his star striker would become as bad as it has. Fans have completely turned on him, and his teammates have not seen him in training for months.
Isak himself has been completely quiet about the situation, with no official comment from him. He could cool some of the negativity aimed at him by releasing a statement or even starting to train with his teammates while a move is sorted out for him.
In the meantime, Howe confirmed that he is more than happy to speak with Isak about a return to the squad any time he wishes to.
“The door is well and truly open, but he (Isak) needs to decide what he wants to do,” Howe told press post-match.
“We’d like a resolution; we need that clarity. I’m not in control of it, but only one person is. I’ve made my stance pretty clear.”