Alexander Isak joined Liverpool for £125million on deadline day and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has given his thoughts on the move and the way the striker conducted himself
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has slammed Alexander Isak after the striker finally got his move to Liverpool on deadline day. Isak joined Liverpool for a British record transfer fee of £125million, having essentially gone on strike to force through the deal.
The 25-year-old released a public statement claiming that Newcastle had broken promises they made to him. «I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors,» he said.
«The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.»
And Shearer has not been impressed with Isak’s conduct this summer, with the Premier League’s record goalscorer telling Betfair : «I thought Eddie Howe handled it really well. It was a really impossible situation for him and for the players. I didn’t like how it got to the end.
«I don’t think it’s ever right that a player should go on strike and refuse to play for a club whilst you’re being paid and have a contract. I understand it from the other way around, when a club wants to get rid of you they do, but they’re still paying your wages.
READ MORE: Alexander Isak concern over when he’ll really be fit for Liverpool rings alarm bellsREAD MORE: Brentford say goodbye to Yoane Wissa with ice-cold transfer statement
«When you sign a contract, you’re obliged to fulfil it. Alexander Isak is a good player, going to a great football club who will no doubt challenge for all the big trophies. But, as I said, I don’t like how it happened. He’ll have his reasons, I’m sure.
«We can thank him for what he did at Newcastle, but it’s been a messy situation all summer. I don’t think it’s done anyone any good, it’s been a really bad look for football and for the fans because they’re the paying public, the ones that make this great game of ours.
«It’s not a good look at all when you’re being paid by a club and refuse to play. Ultimately, he got his move to Liverpool, that’s what he wanted. It’s happened before and will happen again, but it feels more prevalent this summer, Strand Larsen didn’t play for Wolves, Wissa didn’t play for Brentford, and of course Isak didn’t play for Newcastle.
«Marc Guehi, on the other hand, did everything right for Crystal Palace and suffered because he didn’t get his move to Liverpool as Palace couldn’t get a replacement. He was the ultimate professional but didn’t get his move, and that doesn’t seem right. I’m sure he’ll get that move at the end of the season on a free transfer and benefit financially, but still.»
Newcastle have brought in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa to bolster their attack and Shearer is hopeful the pair can «score a s***load lot of goals». Shearer added: «For me and for the rest of the Newcastle fans, I hope he [Wissa] goes out and scores a lot of goals, same for Woltemade.
«I would like to see them score a s***load lot of goals. That’s what they’ve been brought in for because the one thing Newcastle have been lacking, understandably so, is goals. I know Gordon was suspended, but they were pretty blunt.
«I know they got a couple against Liverpool, but in the other two league games against Villa and Leeds, you could tell that was what they were missing. Those two guys have been brought in to now score goals, and Newcastle will be a better team for it.»
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