Alexander Isak’s future remains unclear and the controversy continues with the player putting out all the stops in order to get a move to Liverpool from Newcastle United.
Arguably the form striker in Europe at the end of last season, Isak released a statement on his Instagram account claiming that ‘promises were broken’ and that he sees no future for himself at Newcastle.
Newcastle retorted with their own statement, suggesting that no such promises existed. They also said that only certain conditions would allow the player’s exit this summer, and that they ‘do not foresee those conditions being met’.
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Isak, who has exiled himself from the squad and duties at Newcastle, missed out on their opening draw away to Aston Villa and looks set to do so again when his side meets Liverpool on Monday.
His behaviour has drawn criticism from former players including Newcastle legend and prominent pundit Alan Shearer.
Michael Owen had controversial defence of Isak
However, Shearer’s fellow ex-England and Newcastle teammate Michael Owen has taken a unique view of the situation, choosing to blame the club instead of the player for the ongoing fiasco.
Appearing on punditry duty for Premier League Productions, Owen delved into why he believes Isak deserves more sympathy for his current predicament.
I will not condone a player refusing to play but what I don’t agree with is all these ex-players coming out and sticking up for the club,” Owen said.
“They’re all having a go at Isak but they all would have done the same thing (in his situation).
“Most of the time it is the club that threaten the player, I’ve seen it myself. Everyone comes in and hammers the player but I’ve seen it and I can’t stand it because it is a two-way thing.”
He continued: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am sure he went about it the right way at the start.
“But I’m sure his agent said the only way to go about this is to make some noises, you’re going to have to refuse to play.
“But any former player out there who says ‘this is a digrace’ etc, and I’ve listened to loads of them and I fell like throwing something at the TV.”
“What I don’t condone is when a player is not doing so well – if Isak was playing rubbish they might be trying to get rid of him – threatening him to play with the reserves. ‘If you don’t go I am going to make your life a misery.’ Nobody remembers all these things and this happens 9/10 times.”
An interesting perspective from Owen, who has clearly taken umbrage with both former players and clubs in general in these situations.
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