Alexander Isak of Sweden celebrates after scoring his team's second goal (2-1) during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League C Group C1 match between Sweden and Slovakia at Strawberry Arena on November 16, 2024 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)placeholder image
Alexander Isak of Sweden celebrates after scoring his team's second goal (2-1) during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League C Group C1 match between Sweden and Slovakia at Strawberry Arena on November 16, 2024 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Alexander Isak is pushing to leave Newcastle United and join Liverpool.
Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has leaped to Alexander Isak’s defence - insisting nobody has full knowledge of his situation.
Isak sat out of Newcastle United’s pre-season tour of Asia and has been training alone since the squad returned to Tyneside a fortnight ago. The 25-year-old is trying to force a move to Liverpool, having turned down opportunities by head coach Eddie Howe to reintegrate into the squad.
Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson defends Alexander Isak
The Swede, despite having three years left on his contract at St James’ Park, is essentially refusing to train or play. That has not only angered Newcastle supporters, but some high-profile pundits and ex-pros in the media too.
But Tomasson, who says he has been in regular contact with Isak throughout the saga, has called for people to stop short of voicing their opinion until they are made aware of the full story.
The former Newcastle midfielder told Fotbollskanalen: “First of all, Alex is an extremely professional player, 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 it. 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.”
Alexander Isak in line for Sweden call-up
The door remains “well and truly open” for Isak to return to the squad, according to Howe, but there’s a strong chance that won’t happen until after the summer transfer window closes - if he indeed stays.
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Of all the teams, Newcastle host Liverpool at St James’ Park on Monday night before making the short trip to Leeds United. The window shuts on September 1, which is followed by an international break.
Sweden play World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo, and Tomasson has not ruled out selecting Isak, despite his last match coming on May 25 when the Magpies lost 1-0 to Everton but qualified for the Champions League on the final day of last season.
“There is time,” 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.
“Of course we have thought about it. I want to have my best players available and he is a fantastic player. But I can't see into the future. It's impossible.”
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