Alan Shearer has never been one to stay quiet, and this weekend he made his feelings very clear. The Newcastle legend launched into a furious rant about Alexander Isak after the striker refused to play in Newcastle’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa.
Isak’s absence came as a huge shock for fans who had travelled all the way to Villa Park. Instead of leading the line, the Swedish forward stayed away, trying to push through a transfer move to Liverpool.
Earlier this month, Liverpool had an opening bid for Isak rejected by Newcastle. But the player’s decision to sit out the first game has now put the entire club under the spotlight.
On BBC’s Match of the Day, Wayne Rooney spoke first, reflecting on his own past transfer request at Manchester United.
“I think he has to go about it the right way,” Rooney said. “I’ve been there myself. I asked to leave United. But there’s a way to do it.”
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That was when Shearer jumped in, with fire in his voice.
“You put in a transfer request,” Shearer told Rooney. “You didn’t refuse to train. You didn’t refuse to play. There’s a proper way to do it, and Alex is not going about it the right way at all.”
The Newcastle icon went further, pointing to the loyalty of the fans who had paid good money to see their team.
“The players today are busting a gut for the football club, for the thousands of fans who travelled to Villa Park,” Shearer said. “They’re giving their all. Yet they’re looking at another player, wherever he is, refusing to play despite having a three-year contract and being on over £100,000-a-week.”
Shearer reminded viewers about the sacrifices supporters make.
“Fans are paying £60 or £70 for a ticket, £30 for petrol or train. You can imagine their anger when someone refuses to play. You just can’t do that with a contract in place.”
Despite his strong words, Shearer admitted the story might not be one-sided.
“I also understand there are two sides to every story,” he said. “We’ve never heard from him or his side yet. It’s all leaks or reports. Maybe, if he apologises, there’s a small chance he could return.”
But Shearer was also realistic.
“It’s unlikely. If it goes past deadline day and he’s still here, I can’t see a way back. It’s done.”
The saga has left Newcastle fans frustrated and anxious. While the rest of the squad fought for a solid 0-0 draw at Villa, the talk was all about Isak’s absence.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s manager, was asked about the situation after the match. His answer was calm but clear.
“Nothing’s changed,” Howe said. “The door is open, but he has to decide what he wants to do. We want a resolution. Everyone at the club wants clarity. I can’t control that. There’s only one person in control of that.”
That “one person,” of course, is Alexander Isak himself.
For now, Newcastle’s stance remains firm. They do not want to sell their top striker, but Liverpool’s interest and the player’s behaviour have turned this into one of the biggest transfer dramas of the summer.
The situation is not just about football, it’s about respect. Shearer made that very clear. For him, a player wearing the black-and-white shirt should honour the club, the fans, and the contract he signed.
But football has changed, and players today have more power than ever. Isak’s refusal to play shows just how messy modern transfer battles can get.
As the transfer window ticks on, the clock is against Newcastle. If Liverpool come back with a stronger offer, the saga may finally end. If they don’t, the Magpies may be left with an unhappy player and a divided dressing room.
For Shearer, the message is simple: Newcastle deserve better.
