When the Premier League returns, it will mark a fresh chapter for both Alexander Isak and Newcastle United.
The drawn-out transfer saga has finally ended, with Isak making a deadline day switch to Liverpool for a British record fee. Meanwhile, Newcastle moved quickly to reshape their forward line, bringing in Yoane Wissa to join the recently signed Nick Woltemade.
Even so, the fallout from that saga is still lingering around.
The striker’s refusal to play ahead of his move to Liverpool has not gone unnoticed either. It has already had an impact on his international standing.
Sweden fell to Kosovo in a crucial World Cup qualifier, and with Isak not having played since May, he was not ready to help out during the international break.
Given his price tag, there will be plenty of pressure on Isak to deliver straight away. Considering this, comments from Eddie Howe and behind-the-scenes insights before his departure to Liverpool are noteworthy.
Alexander Isak’s fitness question marks at Newcastle
The Chronicle has shared some previously unpublished remarks from Howe, given before the record-setting transfer was completed on deadline day.
According to their report, Newcastle had prepared a tailored fitness programme for Isak in case he remained with the squad, even after stepping away from full training.
Before ownership approved his move to Anfield, there had been discussions about how he might be reintroduced into the first-team setup.
The coaching staff at Newcastle were not expecting him to be fully match fit until sometime after the international break in October, largely due to how little he had played over the summer.
“Alex had been working individually with our sports science department and they have been getting him fit,” Howe was quoted as saying prior to the move (via The Chronicle).
He added: “But in terms of how match fit he is, and what he’s actually done, it is difficult to judge. Match fitness is very different.”
Liverpool may need to exercise patience early on as Isak gets up to speed. But given his potential impact in the long run, this could end up looking like a small issue once he is fully settled in.
Jamie Carragher’s Alexander Isak fitness concern
Liverpool legend and prominent pundit Jamie Carragher has spoken publicly about his concerns over Alexander Isak’s fitness.
Speaking before the move from St James’ Park was finalised, Carragher wrote in The Daily Telegraph: “Now 25, he is yet to prove he has the durability of Salah. He has failed to start 36 league games over his three seasons in England.”
And despite how good Isak was during his time at Newcastle, it is hard to ignore the fact that he often struggled with injuries.
On the other hand, Wissa and Woltemade have a strong appearance record. Wissa has only missed 14 Premier League games since his 2021 move to England, and Woltemade was absent for just one match last season due to illness.
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