Eddie Howe seeks a quick resolution to the Alexander Isak transfer rumors, which are impacting Newcastle United’s on-field focus. The team struggled in a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa without Isak, highlighting their dependence on him. Howe hopes to resolve the situation before facing Liverpool, emphasizing the need to shut out distractions and concentrate on performance.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has voiced his desire for a swift resolution to the ongoing transfer speculation surrounding star striker Alexander Isak. The Magpies have found themselves embroiled in a swirling vortex of transfer rumors, with Liverpool reportedly keen on acquiring the services of the Swedish international. This external noise, according to Howe, is beginning to overshadow the team's performances on the pitch, creating a narrative that he is eager to dispel.
Isak's absence from the Newcastle squad in their recent Premier League opener against Aston Villa served only to amplify the uncertainty surrounding his future. The match, which ended in a goalless draw despite Villa playing with ten men for a significant portion, highlighted Newcastle's struggles in front of goal without their talismanic forward. It has been suggested that Liverpool has already submitted an initial bid of £110 million for Isak, an offer that Newcastle swiftly rejected. However, the Reds are expected to return with an improved offer before the transfer window slams shut, further fueling the speculation.
In Isak's absence, Howe opted for a youthful and dynamic front three of Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, and Anthony Gordon. While the trio displayed flashes of brilliance, they ultimately lacked the clinical edge that Isak provides. Gordon, deployed as a makeshift number nine, worked tirelessly but missed several opportunities to break the deadlock. Elanga, too, squandered a golden chance early in the game, leaving Howe to rue the absence of his prolific striker.
Despite the draw, Newcastle created a number of scoring opportunities, registering 16 shots on goal. However, only three of these efforts found the target, highlighting their struggles to convert chances into goals. Their expected goals (xG) total of 1.47 further underscores their inability to capitalize on promising attacking situations. The statistics paint a clear picture: Newcastle struggles to find the net without Isak leading the line.
Newcastle's struggles without Isak are not a new phenomenon. The Magpies have failed to win any of their last six Premier League games when he is not in the starting XI. During this period, they have drawn four and lost two, failing to score in each of their last four matches. This dismal run has come despite accumulating 75 shots on goal, with an xG of 9.4, emphasizing their reliance on Isak's goal-scoring prowess.
Speaking after the draw against Aston Villa, Howe acknowledged the disruptive nature of the transfer speculation. He expressed his hope that the situation would be resolved quickly, allowing the team to focus on their performances without the constant media scrutiny. "It's a difficult one to answer. I hope it's resolved quickly, because it's news around us all the time," Howe told TNT Sports. "Players have managed to shut that out and perform. We have to continue to do that. We have to cope without the narrative against us."
The draw also extended Newcastle's winless run in Premier League opening fixtures to 13 seasons, a record they share with no other club. With a challenging fixture against Liverpool looming next Monday, Howe is acutely aware of the added spice that the Isak transfer saga brings to the encounter. "It's always spicy against Liverpool, there's a history to the fixture," Howe added. "We look forward to it. We know how good they are."
Despite the frustrating result, Howe praised his players' performance against Aston Villa, believing they deserved more from the game. He conceded that the difficult conditions made it challenging for his side to maintain their first-half momentum, but he was pleased with their defensive resilience after Konsa's dismissal. "With the way we played, I think we deserved more. We were excellent in the first half – we just couldn't score," Howe said. "Until the red card, that wasn't our best period in the game. I can't fault the players today, I thought they were magnificent. It was a hot day. I think we struggled to keep the momentum and intensity we were playing at. The home team's always going to have a period in the game, but I thought we defended well. We were going strong at the end, trying to win."
The Newcastle United faithful will be hoping that Howe's plea for a swift resolution to the Isak transfer saga is heeded, allowing the team to concentrate on their on-field objectives and silence the external noise that threatens to derail their season.