Newcastle new boy Anthony Elanga arrived this summer and quickly saw Alexander Isak push for the exit door as the Magpies squad were left to digest his controversial departure
Newcastle ace Anthony Elanga finds himself rubbing shoulders with Alexander Isak in the Sweden squad and said "Good luck to him" after the striker finally secured his move to Liverpool.
Isak made it clear earlier this summer that he wanted to explore his options away from St James' Park and Anfield soon emerged as his likely destination. Newcastle had stood firm on their stance that he would not be sold, leading Isak to down tools to force his move.
His fellow Swede Elanga had just made the move to the Magpies, joining them from Nottingham Forest, and was part of the squad that had to deal with the constant noise surrounding Isak's future. The striker was even told to train on his own away from the main group.
Isak secured his exit on deadline day with Newcastle receiving a British-record fee, bringing an end to the saga. Elanga is now having to play alongside the player who rubbed up the Toon fanbase the wrong way and has delivered a short response.
He told Fotbollskanalen: "Isak is a Liverpool player right now. I have the chance to play with him in the national team. He had a good career at Newcastle, but right now he is a Liverpool player. Good luck to him.”
The forward downplayed any sense of drama within the squad, insisting they've still bought in plenty of talent. He added: “It has been chill. He had a contract with us and right now he is with Liverpool. We all think he is a very good player. We lost a good player but we also signed good players. Hopefully we can look forward and focus on this season.”
Newcastle have two points from their opening three games and are still eyeing their first win. Their next outing after the international break could see them boast new arrivals Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa in their starting XI.
Newcastle won't face Isak in his new colours until late January when they head to Anfield to play the Reds. Liverpool have recently secured victory over the Magpies, doing so whilst the Isak saga dragged on with the striker left out of Eddie Howe's squad for the first three games.
Elanga maintained Isak was free to do what he wanted with his career. “It’s his choice," he said. "He chose Liverpool. Good luck to him. He is a friend to me and a fantastic footballer. I can play with him in the national team and that is good as well.”
abdulazebestar1
0
It’s sad that more players don’t have respect for the game and contracts they sign. When a player has a great season he demands to renegotiate. Never once have I seen a player take a pay cut when they have a bad season. They all think they are bigger than the game…….which they are not. I’ve watched football for 50 years, long before any of these players were even born, and I’ll continue to watch it long after they have all stopped playing. When will they finally realize it’s the game we care about. Salah and Isak may be great players but if they’d never touched a football I would never have noticed. Players come and go! The game is here forever!
my-blood-is-red
1
Seriously guys come on it’s like beating a dead horse at this point. He signed for Liverpool and it’s done. move on stop trying to dig up or stir up more shit. I don’t see you giving this much energy about what Crystal Palace did. When clubs want to get rid of players no one cares. But as soon as a player wants to leave it’s blasphemy or the player has no loyalty.
thank you my brother thank you for that statement
vezdemnopz
1
Strong man 😁
Fakbeopy
2
Seriously guys come on it’s like beating a dead horse at this point. He signed for Liverpool and it’s done. move on stop trying to dig up or stir up more shit. I don’t see you giving this much energy about what Crystal Palace did. When clubs want to get rid of players no one cares. But as soon as a player wants to leave it’s blasphemy or the player has no loyalty.
sunceipsz
0
congratulations 🎊 you are welcome to our home
Fizimopsu
1
welcome to anfield Alexander isak
suaaekpu
2
Newcastle United got crazy amount of money for Isak. Not bad business afterall. Football is a big money business nowadays, the fans remain devoted no matter who come and go.
suaaekpu
0
Footballers come and go, only few remain in the same club until they retire. Talk about the upcoming football games and forget about who left a club. Move on.
Wamiklmsty
3
It’s sad that more players don’t have respect for the game and contracts they sign. When a player has a great season he demands to renegotiate. Never once have I seen a player take a pay cut when they have a bad season. They all think they are bigger than the game…….which they are not. I’ve watched football for 50 years, long before any of these players were even born, and I’ll continue to watch it long after they have all stopped playing. When will they finally realize it’s the game we care about. Salah and Isak may be great players but if they’d never touched a football I would never have noticed. Players come and go! The game is here forever!
vuyabemrsy
1
sensible!!!!
Modabdist
3
Thank you