Sweden Manager Discusses Alexander Isak’s Role and Supports Newcastle’s Star Striker During Liverpool Transfer Drama

Wantaway Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has received the backing of Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson amid the ongoing saga surrounding his future.

Isak, 25, is currently on strike and refusing to train or play with Newcastle’s squad as he attempts to force through a move to Liverpool.

He was the subject of a £110million bid from Arne Slot’s side last month, which was promptly rejected by the Newcastle hierarchy, who are believed to value Isak at closer to £150m. 

Isak, who has been heavily criticised in the media and by Magpies fans, then missed Newcastle’s 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, a move that saw him fined by the club.  During that clash, he was targeted by supporter chants where he was labelled as a ‘greedy b*****d’.

Despite the constant speculation surrounding his future, Isak hasn’t publicly commented, but Sweden boss Tomasson has now given his verdict on the situation.

‘First of all Alex is an extremely professional player,’ Tomasson told Swedish outlet 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.’

Tomasson will hope Isak’s future is sorted out sooner rather than later as he aims to help Sweden qualify for next summer’s World Cup.

However, the former Blackburn boss then potentially shed new light on the situation as he questioned whether people were aware of the real truth of the saga. 

‘I don’t think we know it,’ he added. ‘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.’

Sweden take on Slovenia and Kosovo in their first World Cup qualifiers next month and Tomasson remained tight-lipped on Isak’s potential involvement given his lack of match fitness.  

‘There is time,’ he explained. ‘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.’

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has unsurprisingly been probed on the issue of Isak’s future at every opportunity and he provided an update after the Villa clash.   

‘We would like a resolution,’ he said. ‘I am talking about myself, I am sure the ownership, and the players. We need that clarity. You don’t need any distraction. 

‘But I am not in control of that. I think only one person really (Isak) can control that.’

He added: ‘This season, any season, every season, is going to be hard enough. You don’t need any kind of distraction to swerve your thoughts, to unbalance what we’re doing.

‘I hope it’s resolved quickly, because it’s news around us all the time. The players have managed to shut that out and perform. We have to continue to do that.’

Of the fan chant aimed at Isak, Howe said: ‘Whatever happens, I think the support has acted really well today because they supported the team, which is always my big ask, to support the team when we’re playing. 

‘And they’ve done that unbelievably well in some difficult moments during the four years.

‘And then if afterwards they want to say something, I think they’re very free to do that.’

Howe then reiterated his wish for Isak to return to the squad, and said: ‘Nothing has changed, but the door is well and truly open. But yeah, he has to decide what he wants to do.’

In the meantime, Newcastle are hoping to close a deal for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa this week, while they are also battling to sign PSG striker Goncalo Ramos. 

They return to action next Monday when they entertain Liverpool at St James’ Park.