Alan Shearer has fiercely criticised the ongoing debacle surrounding Alexander Isak at Newcastle United, labelling it a “disaster” and advising that the Magpies should consider parting ways with the striker if manager Eddie Howe is unable to mend the issues.
Isak has distinguished himself as one of the Premier League’s standout forwards over the past couple of seasons, netting 21 goals in the 2023/24 campaign and improving that tally to 23 last term. His contributions have been significant as Newcastle secured seventh and fifth-place finishes, culminating in Champions League qualification and a League Cup triumph. The victory over Liverpool in that cup encounter was sweet, yet the Reds, unfazed, clinched the Premier League title and have now registered an interest in bringing Isak to Anfield.
Despite facing overtures from Liverpool, Newcastle remain adamant that Isak is not on the market unless an astronomical offer lands on their doorstep. This has not deterred the Merseysiders, nor has it quelled Isak’s growing frustration and pleas to be allowed to move on, which have been met with resistance by his club.
Toon icon Shearer, visibly perturbed by the ongoing saga, voiced his discontent and suggested that a sale should be entertained if Eddie Howe fails to reconcile with the wantaway forward. Speaking candidly on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, Shearer lamented: “Disaster pre-season. Absolute disaster. Where do I start? One win. All of the talk has been about Isak. It has been a disaster for them, it really has. Given what should have been a time of progression for Newcastle, winning a trophy and clinching that Champions League spot, I fully expected them to go out and bolster the squad with three or four significant signings.”
Moving forward, Shearer insisted, “They need to sort the situation out as quickly as possible with Isak. I guess he stays, until they get someone in and Eddie can maybe talk him around if that isn’t possible then they need to sell him.”
The reality of the predicament is not lost on Howe, who has openly acknowledged the challenges at hand. The Newcastle boss has intimated that Isak’s non-committal stance hinders his inclusion in the current squad setup, succinctly stating: “At the moment, we can’t involve him with the group.” Even so, Howe deflected ownership of the predicament, adding, “That’s not for me to answer, that’s for him to answer.”
As the Magpies grapple with the Isak conundrum, they must swiftly determine whether reconciliation or a lucrative sale is the optimal path forward in preserving team harmony and enhancing club fortunes.
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