Alexander Isak is a disgrace - Newcastle United and Eddie Howe deserve better
Alexander Isak is making a fool out of himself - Newcastle United deserve better than a sulking Swede with zero respect or loyalty.
You chanted his name, emblazoned St James’ Park with tifos and christened him as the best since Alan Shearer. Teammates revelled in him being the main man who can spearhead the club to future glories. His manager developed him into one of the world’s best strikers - a feared goal machine and a far cry from the £63million prospect with six strikes in 32 La Liga games.
In the end, it mattered little. Not even club-legend status after winning the Carabao Cup, with a raucous city at its harmonious best giving him a hero’s welcome two weeks later, could stop Alexander Isak dreaming of Liverpool red.
Champions League qualification was also supposed to be the insurance policy that kept Isak on Tyneside for another year. How wrong we all were.
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Newcastle fans can barely look at their IKEA flatpacks the same since the striker confirmed his desire to leave. The club deserves better than a sulking Swede who is now biting the hand that feeds him.
Many have left the Magpies, this is not a new phenomenon. Malcolm Macdonald and Peter Beardsley were in their primes when they moved on. Both hold legendary status today.
Les Ferdinand and Shay Given are also honourable mentions, as is a player like Kevin Nolan, who left for contractual reasons but made it clear at the time. He did not, as is the cowardly case we see at present, flee to another country or snub a pre-season tour to force a bitter exit.
For every Supermac, there is a Michael Owen. Who could forget the most hostile reception in St James’ Park’s history? Pure vitriol awaited the former striker that day - and Isak will face the same treatment should he join Liverpool. Newcastle fans are not ones to forgive and forget easily.
Yohan Cabaye is perhaps the most comparable situation to Isak. He refused to play on the opening day of the season against Manchester City amid interest from Arsenal. Given Newcastle’s plight at the time, the current situation is worse.
A banner erected at Newcastle’s training ground earlier this week may not have featured the most sophisticated vocabulary in the English dictionary but, using the eyes and ears test, the sentiment behind it is shared by 90 per cent of supporters. His conduct has been bang out of order.
To quote the great Obi-Wan Kenobi, he was supposed to be the one to destroy the Sith, not join them. Liverpool being his favoured destination has only inflamed the Anakin Skywalker-style betrayal Newcastle supporters are feeling.
The Reds have already tested United’s resolve with a derisory offer. Word is they have given up - NewcastleWorld are not so sure.
Isak’s antics so far could look like child’s play if another tantrum follows. In truth, Newcastle may keep the 25-year-old purely due to their ineptitude at finding a top-level replacement. There is little chance of him leaving without one.
To summarise, Isak has acted disgracefully. Abandoning his teammates, manager and supporters at their hour of need has dented what was a near-perfect legacy. The damage is irreversible - even if he bangs another 25 goals next season.
If any silver lining can be drawn, it is that future mercenaries know the score. Even if you want out, wearing those black-and-white stripes with pride is the minimum requirement until the phone call comes.
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