Eddie Howe Bournemouth
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe provided clarity on the situation surrounding Alexander Isak’s absence from the squad during their recent 4-0 defeat to Celtic. Amidst swirling transfer rumors, Howe revealed that he made the decision to send Isak home to shield him from the ongoing speculation. Despite talk of interest from Liverpool, Howe confirmed that no formal approach has been made for the striker, and the club is keen to keep him this summer.
Eddie Howe said: “I’d say we have a few players who are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find. They are so hard to recruit and develop. And make them into those players, when you have them you need to treasure them. We certainly as staff recognise his talent and ability. We are desperate to keep him as part of our team.”
When pressed on why Isak was missing, Howe said: “It was my decision. I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him. The last thing he wanted is to be sat in the stand watching, that wasn’t fair to him.”
Responding to questions asking if he could guarantee he will keep Isak, Howe said: “It is difficult for me to sit here and give 100% clarity on any player. I’d never sit here and do that. It is football and you never know what can happen. All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players and staff, the team. I have never had any issue with him other than seeing him express his talent and express himself. Certainly I am confident that he is going to be here at the start of the season.”
Howe said that Isak and Joelinton could have played if needed this afternoon, adding: “Both players are fit. But we just felt they were not ready to play. Everybody through pre-season goes through different challenges, Joe is back from a long injury. So we need to make sure when he is introduced he is ready. Alex has trained this week and is fine but we did not want to take the risk.”
When reflecting on the 4-0 defeat, Howe continued: “I know everybody will be down on the performance but there was some good stuff in there as well. Austria was intense and all these tours are with the way we manage them. The players have been non-stop in work. There has been a little bit of play in there too. I think it probably showed in our performance. We travelled here yesterday and looked a little bit jaded. It was great for our preparation, the harder the game the better. Celtic you could see were way ahead of us fitness wise and sharpness wise. But I think we will be better for the game.”
Isak’s absence was a notable talking point, especially as Newcastle failed to score against the Scottish champions. Howe’s comments suggest that while Isak is a valued member of the team, the club is taking a cautious approach to his involvement in pre-season matches. This decision seems rooted in ensuring the player’s well-being amid transfer speculation and preparing him adequately for the upcoming season. The manager’s confidence in Isak’s commitment to Newcastle provides some reassurance to fans amidst the uncertainty of the transfer window.
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