The closing weeks of the transfer window are likely to bring a conclusion to the Alexander Isak saga, one way or another.
The 25-year-old striker has gone to extraordinary lengths to push for a move away from St. James’ Park, even relocating from his luxury home in Ponteland after not participating in any pre-season preparations.
Isak is set to shoulder a club-record fine for not appearing for Newcastle in their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday.
Under contract at St James’ Park until 2028, he therefore finds himself in a difficult position, with Newcastle under no financial pressure to bow to external interest.
Now Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has given his thoughts on the saga, and has come to the defence of his star player:
“First of all: Alex is an extremely professional player,” Dahl Tomasson told Fotbollskanalen.
“A fantastic character and personality. I have spoken to Alex a lot during this period.”
“Situations like this are quite complex. These are extremely complex environments that the players operate in.”
“I’m sure it will work out in the end, but you have to know the whole picture before you draw conclusions. That’s always a good tip.”
“I don’t think we know [the whole story]. I don’t know the whole picture either. It’s quite normal because there’s a lot of politics in a football club.”
“But one thing is for sure: Alex is a great guy and very professional. We should all be very careful about drawing conclusions because we don’t know the bigger picture.”
Tomasson was also quizzed on whether he had any doubts on calling up Isak for the upcoming September international break due to his lack of match fitness.
However, the Swedish boss has confirmed that the 25-year-old has been keeping up his fitness with his own training regime:
“There is time,” Dahl Tomasson said. “He is a professional and I know he has been training.”
“Of course, he hasn’t trained with a team and hasn’t played any matches. Let’s wait and see.”
“We will have a good chat, Alex and I, and hopefully he will be back in team training soon.”
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