Newcastle United Sends Clear Alexander Isak Message But Issues Remain

Forbes

13 hours ago

The start of the season is supposed to be filled with optimism and excitement, but Newcastle United's mood as it arrived at Aston Villa on Saturday told a story. Without star striker Alexander Isak, who is refusing to play for the club in the hope of forcing a move to Liverpool before the end of the transfer window, and his absence was clearly felt in a frustrating stalemate.
Coming away from Villa Park, the sense was Isak's presence would have won the match for Newcastle. But perhaps the conclusion need not be that stark; had any senior striker been on the pitch, three points would likely have been en route to Tyneside, rather than one. Eddie Howe's team had the better of the match; it was more aggressive and purposeful, fitter and prepared.
Anthony Gordon was a huge threat as usual, full of energy and desire. After a tough season which began with his own uncertainty last year, the England international looks more comfortable in his own skin and ready to return to his best. But he isn't a striker, and that was the problem. His movement wasn't anything like Isak's, he doesn't possess the physicality Howe likes in that position and as a result, his team-mates lacked confidence and fluidity in the final third.
Anthony Elanga impressed on debut and Sandro Tonali's imperious dominance created a foundation for a strong result. In defence, despite the arrival of Germany's Malick Thiaw from AC Milan this week, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar were colossal.
Before the match, a share of the spoils would have been welcome. Aston Villa and Newcastle have become direct rivals in the Premier League over the last three years, vying for the same achievements. They are incredibly well-matched, but travelling to the West Midlands of England has so often been a fruitless endeavour. Back in April, Villa thrashed Newcastle 4-1.
But given the number of chances created, relative sluggishness from the home team, which has also had its issues over the summer and red card for defender Ezri Konsa in the second half, not winning the game could be seen as a Newcastle failure.
If Isak were watching, he'd surely have understood just how much his actions cost his club. With a deal for Brentford's Yoane Wissa at an impasse and Callum Wilson long gone after his contract expired, young Will Osula was the only specialist striker available, but his inexperience meant Howe preferred playing Gordon in a reshuffle of his attack.
Settling into the campaign so well after such a distracting summer, which was added to by a string of high profile missed targets, was a huge credit to Howe and the culture he has built at Newcastle. While he has previously admitted the noise around Isak had been a distraction for the players, there were no signs of any issues in the performance and application.
Questions over how damaging the summer were constant and everybody had a point to prove, but Howe insisted Isak wasn't his main focus, and his players proved he wasn't theirs either.
Gordon reaffirmed as much with what felt like a very deliberate message after the game.
"It has been difficult because we're a tight-knit group," he told TNT Sports.
"We've never really had any problems publicly and that being the first that's happened has tested us. But you see today we've still got that spirit and togetherness.
"We work on it every day and it's never gonna go away regardless of individuals. We're a top group, our togetherness is top and it always will be.
"Things like this can sort of battle-test and make you better in the end and I think that's the case."
Even the away support left it until full time to make its feelings on Isak known, with pointed chants in his direction. Having reportedly said he will never play for Newcastle again even if he isn't sold, bridges appear to have been burnt.
Reintegration into the squad remains Howe's wish, but after the game he reiterated only Isak can impact that, and admitted he wants clarity on the situation.
'Nothing has changed [on Isak's fututre],' Howe said. "The door is well and truly open. "I am not in control of that.
'There is one person who can control that. Let's wait and see. I have made my stance clear. I am concentrating on the team.'
Newcastle's stance on Isak is he is not for sale, but there is an acceptance that if Liverpool match the £150m ($203m) valuation and Wissa and one other striker of sufficient quality can be added, a deal can be done.
The fans' response may suggest there is no turning back for Isak, but football is a fickle business. If he decides to return and scores goals like he has since he arrived, he will be accepted, if not celebrated.
With only two weeks or so until the transfer deadline, an uncomfortable truce with Alexander Isak looks more likely. If Newcastle's toothless performance at Aston Villa is anything to go by, it is the best case scenario and potentially the difference between success and disappointment this season.