Eddie Howe may deal Alexander Isak even stronger punishment as saga continues
Alexander Isak’s Newcastle Standoff Echoes Past Player Disputes – But With Higher Stakes
Eddie Howe’s tenure at Newcastle United has been largely free of public bust-ups with players, but the rare occasions when friction has emerged have left lasting impressions. Until this summer, the only notable fallout involved winger Ryan Fraser, whose relationship with Howe spectacularly deteriorated in early 2023.
That incident unfolded after Fraser endured a prolonged spell as an unused substitute, culminating in his sudden absence from the matchday squad during Newcastle’s away clash with AFC Bournemouth in March. In the weeks that followed, Fraser was demoted to the reserves, banned from the senior training facilities at Benton, and never pulled on the black-and-white shirt again. At the time, Howe was blunt in his reasoning: “I made the decision to concentrate on the players that are committed to Newcastle and for the benefit of the group I made that call.”
Now, nearly 18 months later, Howe faces a similar — though far more complicated — standoff, this time with star striker Alexander Isak. The Swedish forward, signed for a club-record fee, is keeping his counsel publicly, but his behaviour suggests his commitment is wavering. While he hasn’t spoken out, only Isak truly knows whether his dissatisfaction stems from unmet contractual promises, frustration over transfer dealings, or simply the lure of a fresh challenge.
As the Premier League season looms, Liverpool’s lingering interest continues to hang over the club like a storm cloud. Unlike Fraser’s situation, Isak has not been banished to train with the Under-21s at Little Benton — at least not yet. However, the saga has dragged on far longer and has become a bigger media story given Isak’s status, reputation, and the sizeable investment Newcastle made to bring him in.
In recent weeks, Isak has been training in isolation at Benton, engaging minimally with his teammates and even skipping the team barbecue — a seemingly small gesture that nonetheless signals his detachment. Howe had already decided the striker wasn’t ready for first-team action, ruling him out of pre-season friendlies against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid.
Since then, Newcastle’s focus has shifted towards their opening fixture against Aston Villa, bolstered by new signing Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and active pursuits of further reinforcements, including Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey. But Isak’s unresolved status still looms as a distraction.
This situation is more layered than anything Howe has faced since taking the helm. While Fraser’s demotion was swift and definitive, there remains a faint possibility that Isak could be persuaded to stay — and perhaps even reclaim his role as Newcastle’s main attacking weapon. Howe, whose reputation for emotional intelligence has been one of his managerial hallmarks, is reportedly still open to reconciliation.
However, there are signs of irritation. Speaking to reporters in Seoul during pre-season, Howe revealed he first learned that Isak had been training alone in Spain “via the media,” before pointedly reminding all players that they must “earn the right to train with the first team.”
The clock is now ticking. If Isak refuses to play for Newcastle and a deal with Liverpool fails to materialise, Howe could well revert to the Fraser precedent — relegating him to the reserve squad at Little Benton. That training ground has been home to several high-profile exiles before, including Hatem Ben Arfa, Sylvain Marveaux, Henri Saivet, Tim Krul, Jeff Hendrick, and Jack Colback.
Intriguingly, there’s another parallel to Fraser’s saga. Last year, before Fraser’s eventual move to Southampton, Newcastle’s first home game of the season was against his preferred destination. The transfer was completed just days after that match. With Liverpool still circling and Newcastle set for a Monday night clash under the Sky Sports cameras, the thought of Isak lining up against his current club is a tantalising prospect for broadcasters — but, from the club’s perspective, a near-impossible scenario to imagine.
For now, the Isak affair remains a high-stakes waiting game. Newcastle’s hierarchy must decide whether to hold firm and risk alienating a marquee signing, or cut ties before the transfer window closes. Either way, the outcome will send a clear message — to the dressing room, to fans, and to the rest of the football world — about the limits of Howe’s patience and the club’s stance on player power.