Isak’s ugly game plan: How players force their way out in modern football

The Alexander Isak saga at Newcastle exposes everything wrong with modern football, but it has become depressingly predictable. As per David Ornstein’s report, the Swedish striker’s refusal to play again isn’t just disappointing; it’s a textbook example of how player power has absolutely gone out of control.

Let’s be clear, going on strike is wrong when you have a contract at your current club, especially one paying relatively good wages. Isak signed a contract until 2028, accepted Newcastle’s wages, and helped them achieve success. Now, when they need him most, he has essentially abandoned his teammates and the fans who celebrated his goals. It’s unprofessional behaviour that sets a terrible precedent for younger players watching.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth. This is modern football. Players have learned that downing tools works. We’ve seen this tactics before. Create enough drama, refuse to train, and eventually clubs cave in. It’s ugly, but it’s effective for players who want to leave.

When you consider Isak’s perspective and read David Ornstein’s report mentioning prior agreements about his desire to leave this summer, the situation becomes more complex when choosing sides. He is 25, in his prime, and probably compares Liverpool’s trophy ambitions to Newcastle’s project timeline. Why spend your peak years building something when you could join a machine that’s already competing for everything? However, it was Newcastle who gave him the chance to play in the Premier League after paying a club record fee to sign him from Real Sociedad. He should never forget this.

Either way, the situation looks ugly. Newcastle’s manager has clearly stated that he only wants players who want to play for the club. Keeping an unhappy player is not an option for the manager.

Newcastle find themselves in an impossible position. Should they keep an unhappy player who has mentally checked out, or sell their star asset to a rival for less than the expected initial fee of £150 million? Surely, the price has dropped after the circus on show. They will likely have to cash in. Liverpool are waiting patiently around the corner. They will definitely make their next move before the window shuts.

The timing is particularly cruel for the manager and Newcastle fans. Missing preseason, sitting out key matches, and creating chaos while Newcastle are also facing rejections in the transfer window. They have yet to replace Callum Wilson. How are they going to replace Isak when the season starts this weekend?

However, while refusing to honour a contract isn’t ideal, we have seen clubs ditching players in the past as well. It’s all part of modern football’s ugly reality.