Premier League winner criticises Alexander Isak’s behaviour

Alexander Isak to Liverpool is the transfer saga that is defining this summer window. The Swede made headlines when he told the Magpies that he wanted to move to a new club, before subsequently sitting out their Asian tour. He has returned to training, but his behaviour has been criticised by many, including former England international and Premier League winner Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Isak’s behaviour has drawn the ire of Newcastle fans, and Wright-Phillips also gave his view on what he believes he did wrong. The one-time Premier League winner didn’t just criticise the Swede, however, as he also called out Newcastle United’s hierarchy when it comes to valuing Isak.

Isak’s actions show a lack of respect for his teammates

The former Man City star makes it clear that he believes Isak has handled the situation very badly, as he also notices how it can affect his teammates at Newcastle.

"I think he's handled it very badly because everyone knows you want out but you should go and train. You’re not affecting the club, you're affecting the players you've been to war with for the last three seasons. Have a little bit of respect for your teammates, turn up to train and then go home.”

"You want to play football at the end of the day and the fans have been unbelievable for him. I feel like he should have just showed up. Everyone's been in a position in football where they don't want to be somewhere but there's only some who don't show up for training. He's obviously been advised to do that because the person I've seen talk and be around in Newcastle doesn't seem like that's in his character."

"And we're seeing little bits of Isak now, the way he's handling this by not turning up to training, cause I've seen it as it's everywhere."

Newcastle should have done a better job of valuing Isak

The former England international points out that Newcastle could also have handled the situation differently. He believes they should have given him a better contract in the first place.

"Both of them have handled it badly. I won't just say it's Isak, it's Newcastle as well. If you're valuing somebody at £120-150 million, then the first contract you offer should show that in the value. Because if you're not going to do that, why are you valuing him at £120 million if you're not even willing to give him a contract valued at what you value him at. I'm not saying the contract should be at £150 million but he should be at £300-350K because that's the target you're putting on his back."

"The whole situation, the saga, for me, didn't need to be there. They're either going to sell him or not. If they want £120 million then just say there's no point in bidding less than that."

Wright-Phillips also pointed out the trouble it can create if Isak stays, as he might be unhappy, while the fans might also be unhappy with the way he has behaved.

"They're putting themselves in a position where the season's coming and Isak might go or not go. If he doesn't go, they have in many ways, an unhappy striker there and I've seen some stuff that fans have written for him, and those fans are not happy with him. He doesn't want to be there."

"If Newcastle sign somebody, he has two weeks to get used to the way Newcastle play and get himself settled before the season starts. This, for me, could have been handled four weeks ago.”

“Everybody knows what they're doing but obviously it's business and they want to hold on to the best value and he's still contracted to Newcastle and they have every right to do so and I think when you're in a contract, you honour it until the time comes. But until that time comes, you're a Newcastle player, so you go and be a Newcastle player whether you like it or not."

Isak signing is not that important for Liverpool

Wright-Phillips continues, saying that he doesn't consider the signing of Isak being massively important for Liverpool, as they already signed Hugo Ekitike earlier this transfer window. The former Chelsea man adds that having two strikers of that calibre can, in fact, mess up the team morale.

"In terms of the saga, now that Liverpool have Ekitike, I don't think it's that important to sign Isak. They're putting themselves in a position where they just paid £70-80 million for one and right now he's their main No. 9. When you're going to pay £120 million for somebody, he's going to start. You can't pay £120 million and he's not starting for your team."

"So there's one conflict there that may start a bad egg. Because we don't know Ekitike's personality to that degree. If he's not playing, how is he going to be."

With Isak currently having odds of 1/2 to join Liverpool by the end of the transfer window, those who are feeling confident can use our bet365 bonus code to get the season up and running in style.

Liverpool kick off their season already on August 10, facing Crystal Palace in the Community Shield before hosting Bournemouth on the opening day of the 2025-26 Premier League. Newcastle, meanwhile, will begin their league campaign with a trip to Villa Park on August 16.

Read more as Jermaine Pennant gives his thoughts on Alexander Isak's value compared to other top strikers