Alan Shearer has shared his thoughts on Alexander Isak after the Newcastle striker missed their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday as he attempts to force through a transfer to Liverpool
Alan Shearer has taken aim at Alexander Isak after the striker missed Newcastle's Premier League opener against Aston Villa as he pushes for a move to Liverpool. Isak has refused to play for Newcastle in an attempt to force through an exit, having seen the club reject an opening bid from Liverpool earlier this month.
And Newcastle legend Shearer has slammed Isak's conduct after the Magpies drew 0-0 with Aston Villa, accusing him of "taking liberties" by refusing to play. Addressing the situation on BBC Match of the Day, Wayne Rooney said: "I think he has to go about it the right way and I've been there myself, where I've asked to leave Manchester United."
Shearer then interjected: "But you put in a transfer request. You didn't refuse to train, you didn't refuse to play, so there is a way to do it and Alex is not going about it the right way at all. You have to feel sorry for the players and the manager.
"The players today are busting a gut for the football club, for the thousands of fans that have travelled all that way to Villa Park. They're giving their all.
"Yet they're looking at another player, wherever he is, refusing to play despite having a three-year contract and on over £100,000-a-week. [The fans] are paying £60 or £70 for a ticket, £30 for petrol or a train ticket.
"You can imagine the anger that they're feeling that someone is taking the liberty of saying, 'I'm refusing to play'. You just can't do that when you've got a three-year contract.
"I also understand there's two sides to every story and we've never heard anything from him or his side yet, it's all leaks or reports. There is still a chance, albeit a small chance, that he could be integrated back into the team if he says sorry.
"It's unlikely that that's the case, but if it gets past the transfer deadline day and there's still an impasse and no one's budging and he's still at Newcastle, I can't see a way back then."
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe offered an update on Isak's future after the game, stating: "Nothing's changed. The door is well and truly open but he has to decide what he wants to do.
"We would like a resolution. The ownership, everyone, the players we have, want that clarity. You don't need any distraction. I'm not in control of that. There's only one person in control of that."