/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70991263/1366783040.0.jpg "Gyokeres Backs Isak After Blockbuster Liverpool Move: ‘He Doesn’t Have Any Power’")
Viktor Gyokeres defends Alexander Isak following his transfer to Liverpool. Gyokeres highlights the complexities of player transfers and focuses on Sweden’s World Cup qualification hopes, emphasizing the importance of a strong team dynamic and the partnership between him and Isak for achieving their goals.
Viktor Gyokeres has emphatically defended his Swedish national team colleague, Alexander Isak, following a summer transfer saga that culminated in a high-profile move to Liverpool. The spotlight shone intensely on Isak during the transfer window, and Gyokeres' support arrives at a crucial juncture.
Isak officially inked a six-year contract with the Premier League giants on the final day of the transfer window, sealing his arrival at Anfield for a reported £125 million. This monumental fee marks a British transfer record, underscoring the significance of Liverpool's acquisition. The transfer immediately established Isak as a key component of Liverpool's future plans, adding considerable firepower to their attacking options. Liverpool fans eagerly anticipate seeing Isak in action, hopeful that he will replicate his previous goal-scoring exploits in the famous red jersey.
The 25-year-old's contentious period with Newcastle United dominated headlines throughout the summer. Isak found himself excluded from the Magpies' squad as he actively pursued a transfer. The situation escalated as the relationship between player and club deteriorated, eventually leading to Isak's departure.
Isak publicly stated that Newcastle had reneged on promises regarding his potential exit, a claim made after Newcastle rejected an initial bid of £110 million from Liverpool. This revelation added fuel to the fire, heightening the drama surrounding the transfer saga and highlighting the complexities of player-club negotiations in modern football.
Gyokeres himself experienced a similar situation during his £63.5 million (€73.5 million) transfer to Arsenal from Sporting CP earlier in the summer. Like Isak, Gyokeres faced disciplinary measures from his former club after failing to attend training sessions as he intensified his efforts to secure a move to the Premier League. These parallel experiences provide a unique insight into Gyokeres' perspective on player empowerment and the challenges faced by players seeking transfers.
Addressing the issue of "player power" in the context of both strikers' determined transfer pursuits, Gyokeres emphasized that outcomes are not always guaranteed for players. He stated, "I congratulated Isak for the move. I don’t really know the situation exactly, so it’s difficult for me to speak about that. When it’s a player that is not wanted in a club, I think it’s the total opposite. He doesn’t have any power, the club can literally do whatever they want." Gyokeres' comments offer a nuanced view of the dynamics between players and clubs, highlighting the constraints players can face despite their desire for a transfer.
Alexander Isak pic.twitter.com/OpBQmRkD4t
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) September 2, 2025
Shifting the focus to their national team duties, Gyokeres discussed his relationship with Isak as Sweden prepares for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. The team is set to begin their qualification campaign this Friday with a match against Slovenia, followed by a trip to Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri to face Kosovo three days later. These matches are crucial for Sweden's aspirations of securing a spot in the next World Cup.
Gyokeres has scored 15 goals in 26 appearances for Sweden, just one goal behind Isak, who has played twice as many games for the national team. This statistic highlights the potential of their partnership and the importance of their contributions to Sweden's World Cup qualification efforts.
Sweden failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but Gyokeres expressed his belief that the team possesses the quality required to rectify that this time around. He stated, "It’s always good to have good players in the national team. We, of course, want to reach the World Cup next year and if we have the best players available in the team, that’s of course going to help. We played a few games together and felt good. He’s scored, I’ve scored and we’ve assisted each other. I think it’s good to keep going and improve more with the team.”
Gyokeres's support for Isak and his optimism regarding Sweden's World Cup aspirations provide a positive outlook for the national team as they embark on their qualification campaign. The partnership between Gyokeres and Isak will be key to Sweden's success, and their ability to combine effectively will be crucial in securing a place in the next World Cup.