The Guys Respond To Isak & Newcastle's Statement

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2:09Alan Shearer:Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football with Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and me, Gary Lineker. On today's episode, we're going to be previewing some of the big games in the Premier League this weekend. But firstly, there's only one place to start today, and that's the tradeoff of statements between Alexander Isak and Newcastle United. Sorry, Al. Before we get your reaction to them, let me read out the statements. Isak, I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken, he wrote. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

2:49Alan Shearer:The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now. And why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself. Newcastle's response, which came pretty quickly after. We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer. We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.

3:34Alan Shearer:As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions. and we've been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met. This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to join his teammates or rejoin his teammates, I should say. Alan, let's start with the Isak statement. I mean, what a mess. What a pickle your club's in, really.

4:15Alan Shearer:It's such a shame. Sad, really, isn't it?

4:18Gary Lineker:Very sad. After what should have been Newcastle kicking on after winning their trophy and finishing in the Champions League spot, albeit fifth. It should have been a great pre-season for them, but obviously it's been overshadowed by this, mostly this and other signings they couldn't get through the door. But, yeah, it's a sad situation. It really is. I mean, I was flabbergasted at his statement, obviously because he couldn't attend the PFA awards I felt or he felt and his representatives felt that it was best he needed to put something out but that was just chucking petrol on the fire I mean it was just bizarre wasn't it to say that someone had agreed verbally with him or his agent I mean you're in football for goodness sake I would have a look at the agent if I was him to say why on earth have you advised me or let me sign a six-year contract without any get-out clause.

5:13Gary Lineker:That's what I would have had. You'd need something in writing. When you're in a strong position, as he was, when they were paying 60-odd million pounds for him on a six-year deal, then there is no get-out clause. And you know as well as I do, we've all been in the game long enough. You can't just accept if someone says, and by the way, who was it? What did they say? And when did they say it? That would be the next question. Yeah, that's unclear. But you can't just accept and say, okay, at the end of the season, then yeah, we might perhaps agree to let you go verbally. That football doesn't work like that.

5:51Gary Lineker:We've all been in it long enough. We know how it works. Al, can I just ask you, who's taking care of football matters at Newcastle at this moment in time? Because it just seems like a whirlwind. Well, we said it, haven't we? I said it a month ago. I said it three weeks ago, two weeks ago, that Newcastle haven't got a chief executive at the minute. They haven't got a sporting director, which I don't think has helped business this summer.

6:15Alan Shearer:Let me just jump in, if I may, just for a second, because it's quite widely reported that it may have been Amanda Stavely that was said to have said something to Alexander Isak. Now, she isn't there anymore, of course. So I don't know if that's true, but that's the rumour at present.

6:38Gary Lineker:Yeah, and it's still exactly the same point. You know as well as I do, get things in writing in football. When you're talking about loyalty in footballers and football clubs, it doesn't work. I get it. It's the other way around. When a club wants to get rid of you, they just get rid of you. But on the other hand, you have a three-year contract. You can't just not train and not play. You can't do it. Have a look at your agent. The statement last night, the words that are coming out, the saying of, well, we had a verbal agreement with someone. I mean, come on. Why let your client sign a six-year deal without a get-out close?

7:13I backed Isak all the way because he's not said anything. And I feel as though you can spin a narrative against the player. but the statement yesterday i think that the words were change is best i read it here for you

7:32Alan Shearer:the last the last paragraph was when promises are broken and trust is lost the relationship can't continue that's where things are for me right now and why change is in the best interest of everyone not just myself yeah but the change in the best interest for everyone but he doesn't decide that. No, he can't speak for everyone else. He can only speak for himself. You've got a contract with a club and I've defended him. I have, I've been on all the broadcasters saying, well, I don't think it's fair to have an opinion when you don't know what's happening, but now he's spoken and those were his words.

8:09I feel like now he's disrespected the club that, that now for me is, is overboard. Crossed a line. I don't think that's fair to himself, to his teammates and the fans, you know. I know we had a bit of a laugh and joke with Al the other day about train fares and all that sort of thing. But I didn't want to jump to conclusions because I didn't think it was fair. But now I feel he's crossed the line.

8:38Gary Lineker:Yeah, but, you know, change for all parties. Well, OK, who's going to come and pay what Newcastle want for you if they decide to sell you? like are Liverpool going to pay the 140 or 150 million it's alright saying change is best it still boils down to two very important points first one being can Newcastle get a replacement and the second one probably the most important one is who's going to pay what Newcastle want for you what would you accept Alan right now I guess they would want 150 million 140 I don't know I guess so So if someone's prepared to pay that for you, then okay. And the other one is, as I said, can Newcastle get replacements in?

9:21Alan Shearer:Well, Newcastle have also thrown out a slight olive branch by their final words that Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates. And obviously that's if as well.

9:34Gary Lineker:I thought it was a really measured, calculated statement from Newcastle. I really did. So, yeah, because it also sends a message out to others as well, because what happens if Tonali wants to leave next year or Bruno wants to leave next year and Newcastle let Isak go just like that? I think it sends a message out. Yeah, it's just been a very, very messy situation. And it's the players and Eddie who you have to feel sorry for, because they're the ones that have got nothing to do with this. And they're the ones that are trying and battling and scrapping and to try and get points while he's having a huge row.

10:10Alan Shearer:This will have, well, you would think that we'll have a resolution at the end of the transfer window, because if it doesn't happen, the move by then, then surely he's not just going to sit out and wait until possibly January. It's going to make it very awkward when he comes. I mean, you know what footballers are like, they'll just take the piss. But it will make it a very awkward relationship with the supporters who are the most important thing at any football club.

10:39Gary Lineker:Yeah, before people get on the high horse and say, well, Newcastle are doing the same with Wisser. I don't agree with that either. If he's refusing to train or play, I don't like that. It's not a good look for a player. And Newcastle have had a bid turned down.

10:53Alan Shearer:Yeah, 40 million, which I thought probably should be about right, given his age.

11:00Gary Lineker:Yeah, I mean, it's one of those where Brentford know Newcastle are desperate. They know they're going to have a right few quid. And have got a few quid. So, I don't know. I don't know. I haven't got a clue what will happen in the next 10 or 11 days. We'll get the Wissers statement tomorrow. The Wissers statement will come out tomorrow. Would you welcome him back though, Al? Yeah, I think so. Is there a way back for reset? Yeah, there is. Yeah, I think it would have to be done before the transfer window closes. If that is going to happen. And it's a big if. A huge if. Very unlikely if. If it's going to happen, then I think it has to happen before the window closes.

11:35Gary Lineker:because otherwise it's just, oh, I'm stuck here and I have to play or I have to do this, you know, and he's made his feelings known. But, yeah, I think there's always a way back. You know how it's happened before, wasn't it? Modric, wasn't it? One of a few, actually. Modric was at Tottenham where he wanted to leave for Chelsea, I think it was, and there was made to sit and play that season and then he went to Real Madrid after that. And I think he was brilliant in that season. So I think, yeah, there is a way back. but I would think it has to be done before the window closes.

12:09Alan Shearer:It's such a shame having the highs of last season, Alan, that first trophy and everything that followed. And then obviously, you know, doing so well in the league as well after that Champions League. And then to have something like that, it's a real dampener, isn't it, on things. Do you think also though, I mean, we've talked about this a lot now, but also the PSR rules as well. The fact that Newcastle have not been allowed really by the rules. Because we know their owners are wealthy, probably the wealthiest of any owners anywhere, and could make big moves in the transfer market. But perhaps the fact that they can't do that, it's almost a closed shop now.

12:48Alan Shearer:The top five big spending clubs will continue to be able to spend, and the rest of them, unless, well, I should say until, because they have to change this rule at some point. They can't compete. They can't get into that term. I mean, Newcastle got us probably as close as they can get. Do you think that has played a part in this, inevitably? Yeah, I think so.

13:07Gary Lineker:I think because Newcastle, I mean, it sounds crazy, doesn't it? And the normal working guy who will look at this and think, Newcastle can't pay the huge wages that the big five can. And I guess, and I understand it, that he wants to join a huge football club who are guaranteeing him, I don't know, let's guess at 300 grand a week, where Newcastle can pay him just over 100 and won't be able to pay anywhere near that salary. But he's the one, and him and his agent are the one that signed that six-year deal without a get-out clause. So that is the problem to me, as well as the PSR that Newcastle can't pay that.

13:48I just find the whole situation, obviously it's sad, but it's intriguing too because there has to be a conclusion. I would, if I was Newcastle, take a little bit less because if he stays there and his head's not right, then his value's only going to go down. So say Newcastle won$150 million, Liverpool want to pay$110. You meet somewhere in the middle and you say thank you and then you go again, don't you? When Liverpool sold Coutinho, everyone thought it was going to be doom and gloom. But maybe you can use that money. It'll help you out financially. you can get some more players within the squad.

14:31Yes, strikers are very difficult to find right now, but you don't want to have a player who's unhappy at your club and the fans don't want you at the club and the manager doesn't know what to do with the situation and then the episode continues week after week after week about Isak, is he going to play? When's he going to be fit? And it's just bringing, I don't know, it becomes the ESAC show when it's supposed to be about the Newcastle show

15:01Alan Shearer:no player is bigger than a football club correct and they don't they move in they go away it's the same with managers and coaches but the fans are the ones that stay there all the time exactly

15:10Gary Lineker:but I totally agree with that Micah but and it's a big but because they've been looking for three or four weeks now or even longer to bring those players in and they haven't been able to so it's alright saying well yeah do you take the 130 million but who are they going to play? You saw what happened at the weekend in terms of Gordon up front. So if they can't get players in, how do you let him go?

15:34Alan Shearer:Well, I mean, the fact they've already bid£40 million for Worcester and had that, I know it's been turned down, but it suggests that they probably want to do, you know, definitely trying their best now to get someone in. That's one.

15:47Gary Lineker:That's a replacement for Callum Wilson.

15:49Alan Shearer:Well, you could say it's a replacement for Callum Wilson or you could search replacement for both of them.

15:56Gary Lineker:You can't then just bring one forward if you let the two go. But why didn't they give him another deal? Who? Newcastle must have known at the time there was an episode with Isak. Why let Callum Wilson go until you've got the players in that you want? Yeah, but he was out of contract. Give him another year. He's only signed a year at West Ham, hasn't he? He hardly played. He was injured so much, wasn't he? And he did a great job at Newcastle, Callum Wilson. But I think the time was right to let Callum go and do whatever he had to do because his contract was up.

16:32Alan Shearer:Guess who's playing at the weekend? It's mad at how the football... The fixture list sometimes does this beautifully, doesn't it? Newcastle versus Liverpool. Of course it is.

16:43Gary Lineker:Monday night, yeah. I'm going to beat Alba at the match as well. Are you going to the game? Yeah. Do you think Isak will be there? No. you.

16:51Alan Shearer:Not a chance. Not a chance.

16:54Gary Lineker:It'll be an incredible atmosphere. I think it... It's a bit tasty anyway, Newcastle, Liverpool. So it's a bit of added spice, I think, don't you?

17:03Alan Shearer:Yeah. Why don't you do a swap deal for Eka TK?

17:09Just to stir things up a little bit.