Following Alexander Isak’s record-breaking transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool, here’s what former team-mates and coaches have said about the striker’s character
The summer’s most dramatic transfer saga has finally reached its conclusion in Liverpool’s favour. Alexander Isak has sealed his British record £125million switch to Anfield and will don the No. 9 jersey for the Reds.
He has penned a six-year deal to bring an end to an episode in which the Sweden international effectively engineered his exit from Newcastle United. Consequently, Isak is unlikely to receive a warm welcome back on Tyneside anytime soon, perhaps never, and he’ll probably be grateful that the Reds have already fulfilled their league fixture at St. James’ Park this season.
But while he’s been branded public enemy No. 1 in Newcastle, his standing remains high among those who’ve been part of his journey. Here’s what those who’ve worked alongside the 25-year-old have had to say…
READ MORE: Liverpool ‘behaving like Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd’ with bold new transfer strategy READ MORE: Michael Owen sends strong Alexander Isak message as Liverpool transfer saga ends
‘Exactly the same person’
Numerous former coaches have lauded Isak’s modest character, maintaining his ascent to becoming one of Europe’s most lethal forwards hasn’t altered him.
Johnny Gustafsson, who mentored Isak in AIK Stockholm’s youth system, has revealed his Sweden international colleagues, including Viktor Gyokeres, regard him highly for his behaviour away from the pitch. He told The Guardian: « They say he’s exactly the same person. His success has not changed him at all. »
‘Like a philosopher’
AIK’s technical director, Peter Wennberg, fondly remembers a touching gesture from Isak during his time in the under-17s, recalling: « He had to fill in an evaluation and made a point of thanking the kit managers. He never forgets. He’s humble. »
Wennberg also spoke to The Times about Isak’s curious nature, saying: « Isak is like a philosopher. The other players, they think ‘how’ and ‘when’, but Alex asked every time, ‘Why?’ He wants the answers behind every movement and every tactical tweak. He has a need to understand. He has done everything with a higher purpose. »
‘So serious about his job’
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino, who was Isak’s teammate at Borussia Dortmund before he flourished at Real Sociedad, couldn’t praise him enough for his professionalism, both on and off the pitch.
In a 2021 interview with CBS while they were still colleagues at Sociedad, Merino said: « I think he’s a great player. I have the luck of being with him in Dortmund as well. We were there together for six months and when he came here to La Real I was really surprised.
« I was really happy to see him, and we could talk a lot about our time in Dortmund. He’s a big, big piece for us, he’s doing great he’s adapting really, really good here, everybody loves him in the dressing room.
« I think he speaks Spanish perfect, so that talks very good about him, the way he wants to adapt here, the way he’s so serious about his job and about not only football, but being a good team-mate, being a professional. »
After his transfer to Newcastle the following year, Merino told The Athletic: « His mindset is very good. He can adapt to whatever you tell him.
« When he came here, he had to adapt to a very specific system of playing where he had a specific role to make an exact movement when the ball was in a certain position.
« Being from Sweden and being able to adapt showed how smart he is. With his abilities, his speed and strength, the Premier League is a good place for him. »
‘Stable and controlled’
As his protracted move to Liverpool finally progressed, Isak was in contact with his national manager, former Premier League striker Jon Dahl Tomasson. Despite the drawn-out saga, Tomasson insisted Isak was cool, collected and prepared for the upcoming international fixtures.
However, due to his recent lack of playing time, it’s unlikely he’ll play a full match. The ex-Newcastle forward told Swedish media on Monday: « I spoke to Alex yesterday and this morning. We expect him here today.
« Alexander Isak is extremely professional and has a good mentality. He is very stable and controlled. We have no worries. He’s not able to play for 90 minutes but he can be a game-changer. »
Newcastle team-mates’ hope
As the saga unfolded, Isak’s Newcastle colleagues remained optimistic that things would swing in their favour. This reflects the high regard in which he was held by his peers, despite his self-imposed absence from the team.
Speaking in late July, captain Dan Burn admitted that Isak’s potential exit would « upset » the squad. He said: « If we lost any player, it would upset our tight-knit group that’s been together for two or three years now. We’re looking forward to getting Alex back when he’s fit. It’s a question for Alex to answer. He’s obviously a big player for us. »
On a similar theme, Bruno Guimaraes said: « Of course, he’s a top player and we know everything going on around him but he’s [staying at home] to do some physical treatment.
« We want to keep our best players, that’s my point, and what I want to say is that I don’t know what anyone has seen. He’s a top striker, his last three seasons speak for themselves. »
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