Shaka Hislop has hit the nail on the head for Newcastle United fans as he berates Alexander Isak’s latest actions.
The 25-year-old has been silent all summer, as his Newcastle United future was played out through the media.
That changed on Tuesday night when Alexander Isak released a statement. He claimed that promises had been broken and that the trust was gone.
Newcastle responded to Isak with a statement of their own, stating that the conditions to sell him were unlikely to be met and that he will be reintegrated into the squad when he is ready.
The message from Isak came completely out of nowhere, and his words have enraged former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
Shaka Hislop cannot believe Alexander Isak is taking the ‘moral high ground’
Speaking on the ESPN FC YouTube channel, Hislop berated Isak for suddenly taking the ‘moral high ground’ after everything he has done this summer.
“I make no apology about the fact I am biased towards Newcastle,” he said.
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“99 times out of 100, I am biased in these kind of stand offs to the player. This is the one of 100.
“I don’t understand how, without even getting to whatever Alexander Isak is pointing towards in terms of an agreement, you do not go back to your former club to train, you do not miss pre-season, you do not stay away from the football club and then in mid-August claim the moral high ground.
“You have given that up. If that is what you are doing, do it and own it. You do not get to turn around six weeks into it and claim some kind of moral high ground.
“I do not understand Alexander Isak’s position, that ridiculous statement on social media. I do not understand who is advising him. I can’t think of any way that he could have gotten this more wrong. It is an absolute farce.”
Shaka Hislop praises the way Newcastle United are handling the Alexander Isak situation
While Hislop is not impressed with the way Isak has gone about his business, he believes that Newcastle United deserve a lot of credit for their response.
“Credit to Eddie Howe and the club for at least trying to find some kind of a solution to this,” he added.
“He’s got three years left on his contract. It is important for Newcastle for the long-term good of the club not to be bullied in this way. They are trying to do this as best they can, while understanding the role Isak played in getting Champions League football.
“Credit to the club for how they have handled this. For Alexander Isak, my biggest question is who is advising him.”
Eddie Howe and Alexander Isak speak during Newcastle United's Premier League game against Leicester City.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Howe has spoken very well about the Isak saga all summer. He deserves an immense amount of credit for the way he has handled what is an incredibly delicate situation. That is why he is such a special Newcastle United manager.
He has put the club first, but has not thrown Isak under the bus either. While it will be difficult for the fans, Howe has ensured there is a way back for Isak.
There might have to be, as Newcastle are not selling Isak.
That could change if a suitable replacement emerges, but that feels incredibly unlikely with so little time left in the summer transfer window.