Andy Carroll (left) and Newcastle United striker Alexander Isakplaceholder image
Andy Carroll (left) and Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak | Getty Images
Newcastle United are yet to receive clarity on Alexander Isak’s future amid reported Liverpool interest.
Andy Carroll has once again claimed he did not want to leave Newcastle United while commenting on the Alexander Isak saga.
In January 2011, the 6ft 4in striker faced a similar situation to the Swede. At the time, Carroll was one month into a five-year contract extension and was enjoying a fine breakout season in the Premier League.
Liverpool came calling with £35million - a record fee for a British player. Carroll packed his bags and, to this day, is adamant he was forced to leave.
Andy Carroll on Alexander Isak saga
Now at National League outfit Daganeham & Redbridge - where he is a part owner - the 36-year-old outlined the differences between his exit and Isak’s potential move. Irrespective of the Toon star refusing to play, Carroll believes not being area is also a contributing factor.
"Being from Newcastle, I didn't really want to leave,” he told Sky Sports. “I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay. And it was tough when I did go. But Isak's not from Newcastle so he can act like he's acting now and think it's acceptable.
"It's a big move for him. The way he's playing his cards at the minute, the Newcastle fans are not going to back him. He's not going to help himself and it's a shame because he's such a good player and every Newcastle fan wants him to stay. The manager wants him to stay.
"It's not really the same as me because it's not his club. The Geordies took him in and made him one of their own but when he wants to go, that's his mind changed."
Alan Shearer slams Alexander Isak
Responding to Wayne Rooney onMatch of the Day, Newcastle legendShearer hit out at Isak for his recent conduct. He said: “You put in a transfer request. You didn't refuse to train, you didn't refuse to play, so there is a way to do it and Alex is not going about it the right way at all.
“You have to feel sorry for the players and the manager. The players today are busting a gut for the football club, for the thousands of fans who have travelled all that way to Villa Park.
“They're giving their all. Yet they're looking at another player, wherever he is, refusing to play despite having a three-year contract and being on over £100,000-a-week. (The fans) are paying £60 or £70 for a ticket, £30 for petrol or a train ticket."You can imagine the anger that they're feeling that someone is taking the liberty of saying, 'I'm refusing to play'. You just can't do that when you've got a three-year contract. I also understand there's two sides to every story and we've never heard anything from him or his side yet, it's all leaks or reports.
“There is still a chance, albeit a small chance, that he could be integrated back into the team if he says sorry. It's unlikely that that's the case, but if it gets past the transfer deadline day and there's still an impasse and no one's budging and he's still at Newcastle, I can't see a way back then.”
Read More
Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak saga
Howe was grilled further on the Isak saga at the weekend. He told reporters: "Nothing's changed. The door is well and truly open but he has to decide what he wants to do."We would like a resolution. The ownership, everyone, the players we have, want that clarity. You don't need any distractions. I'm not in control of that. There's only one person in control of that."
Continue Reading