Emil Krafth has defended Alexander Isak in the wake of his controversial transfer to Liverpool, insisting that Newcastle United’s dressing room remains united despite weeks of turbulence.
The Swedish right-back, who is both a club teammate and international colleague of Isak, said suggestions of unrest among Eddie Howe’s squad have been overstated. Isak left St James’ Park for Anfield on deadline day in a £125million deal, ending a saga that saw him refuse to play in the early weeks of the season.
“There were many who wanted to see Alex stay, but you understand how football works,” Krafth told Sportbladet. “For me, Alex is not just a footballer, but a close friend too. The media wrote that the locker room would be divided. That is certainly not true.”
Isak’s stand-off with Newcastle management was one of the defining stories of the transfer window, culminating in Liverpool securing a Premier League-record signing. The forward had claimed in August that promises made to him about a move were not kept, comments the club denied.
Krafth emphasised that inside the camp, players accepted the situation. “Football players understand football players, and we can only wish him the best of luck. As Anthony [Elanga] said, it has been very chill. No one has said or done anything. It is just taken out of thin air,” he added.
Isak, who scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle and netted in their Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool, has already linked up with Sweden’s national team. His departure leaves Howe to integrate Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa quickly as the Magpies seek to maintain momentum after a disruptive summer.
