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Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe faced a tricky start to his team’s first pre-season stop in Singapore, as the Englishman was bombarded with questions about his talismanic striker, Alexander Isak.
The Swedish forward did not travel with the squad for their Asian tour, which also includes a stop in South Korea, due to a thigh injury that was aggravated during their 4-0 friendly defeat to Celtic. However, it was speculation over his future and a potential move away that dominated the pre-match press conference, ahead of the Magpies’ clash with Arsenal on Sunday (July 27).
Howe was quick to dismiss rumours of a falling out with the 25-year-old, saying: “No, I don’t think (there’s been a fallout). Of course, there are things going on behind the scenes, and Alex will be aware he’s in the news every day.
“What I can say is that we have a really strong relationship with him. He’s been outstanding for us since he joined and is hugely popular in the dressing room. We’d love for him to continue his journey with Newcastle,” Howe added about the striker, who has scored 54 goals in 86 league appearances and has been linked with a switch to Liverpool.
“From a broader perspective, whatever happens has to be right for the club. We’re in a strong financial position, we’re ambitious, and we’re determined to be successful. With a big season ahead, we need to strengthen the squad and keep moving forward. That’s the trajectory we’re on, and it’s one we all want to maintain,” said Howe, with the club coming off a historic League Cup triumph and Champions League qualification.
The Magpies have been comparatively less active in the transfer market than the league’s traditional heavyweights, but they have secured the services of fleet-footed winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for an initial fee of £52 million ($70.21 million), with a further £3 million in add-ons.
Having arrived two weeks earlier, Howe has been impressed by the new arrival’s attitude. “For new arrivals, it’s different. Every team has its demands, and we expect a lot from our players. Adapting quickly, absorbing all the information, and understanding what’s required is a big challenge. That said, I have to commend him. In training, he’s shown a great attitude, always smiling and consistently putting in the work. I’m genuinely excited about what he can bring to the team this season.”
Captain Bruno Guimarães was also thrilled at the prospect of playing alongside the Swede. “I think he’s training brilliantly. He really surprised me. He is a very good guy and extremely focused. He’s very, very fast and has been training exceptionally well. I’m excited to play alongside him.”
But both Howe and Guimarães are aware that more has to be done to bolster the squad.
“I know other clubs have brought in more players than we have. But it’s a challenging window because prices are rising, and the pool of available players is limited, as I’ve said before. That said, we are actively working in the market,” Howe said.
“We need to do business and bring players in. With the challenge of this season’s football calendar and all the games ahead, we need options and depth. As we learned two years ago, the Champions League campaign is completely different. So, I hope we can bring in players before the window closes. Not just any players, but those who can make a real difference and help us progress. We won’t stop until the window shuts.”
The Brazilian echoed Howe’s views and shared his ambition.
“I think last season was the best the club has ever had. So now, the strategy is to keep going. Yeah, it was a great season, but for me, it’s not enough. I want us to keep winning.”
However, doubts linger ahead of Sunday’s test against Arsenal, with several players struggling to reach full fitness and jetlag taking a toll.
“There was a bit of fatigue in training today. The heat was one factor, but I think the players are still adjusting to the time zones. So, I believe Arsenal have a definite advantage tomorrow, as they’ve been here much longer than us. But it’s a pre-season game. We just want to get certain things from it. We want to be fitter, tactically sharper. We’re up against a really good opponent, so I think the match will be great for us.”
“In terms of performance, I think we’re still building towards our best levels. I’ll repeat, the most important game is against Aston Villa, not these friendlies. But we do need to take something from these matches,” Howe added, referring to his side’s league opener at Villa Park on Aug 16.
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