Michael Owen’s post following the news that Alexander Isak finally sealed his £125 million switch to Liverpool on deadline day has caused a stir. The retired forward played for both the Reds and Newcastle during his own career, but remains a polarising figure at both after having been seen as a mercenary who turned his back on them to end up at Manchester United.
Now, in a twist of deja vu, Isak finds himself cast in a similar light. The Swedish forward appeared to burn bridges at St James’ Park when he publicly accused Newcastle’s Saudi-led hierarchy of breaking promises, before refusing to play another game and departing without a word of thanks to the fans who had idolised him. In the eyes of many supporters, his legacy is already tarnished
Yet football, as ever, rewards ambition. Isak has landed the move he long coveted, and once he returns from international duty with Sweden, he will link up with a frightening Liverpool attack alongside Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz.
His path there may have lacked grace, but Owen raised a fair point in comparing him to Marc Guehi, who has been widely praised as a model professional, but saw his own dream transfer to the Premier League champions collapse at the eleventh hour.
Owen’s Tweet After Alexander Isak’s Record Transfer Causes Stir
Going on strike and refusing to play while still under contract is never a popular tactic – yet, Yoane Wissa also took that very route at Brentford to force through his move, later to be unveiled as Newcastle’s replacement for Isak. In stark contrast, Guehi kept his head down at Crystal Palace, featuring in every match right up until his Liverpool medical, only to be the one left empty-handed when his deal collapsed.
The way this transfer window unfolded has sparked plenty of debate about how players might handle similar sagas in the future. Adding his voice to the conversation, Owen posted on X (see below):
“Hmmm. Behave badly and get the move you want. Behave like a gentleman and miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime. No prizes for guessing how players will act in the future if this is the result.”
Guehi’s situation turned even more dramatic when his farewell video leaked after the collapse of his transfer. Reports suggested Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner had threatened to quit if chairman Steve Parish approved the £35 million deal with Liverpool. Even so, optimism remains at Anfield that a move can be revisited within the next 12 months, by which time Guehi’s contract will have expired and Ibrahima Konate could be heading to Real Madrid.
As for Owen’s remarks, reaction was split. While some onlookers understood where he was coming from, many more dismissed it outright – unable to separate his opinion from his own controversial career moves more than a decade ago, which continue to cloud his credibility. “Same way you behaved and got your move,” one X user bluntly replied, while another added:
“Yes, advice on professionalism from the man who forced a move to Madrid and then wore a United shirt. Truly the moral compass football needed.”
A third user also wrote: “Coming from the only other ex-Newcastle player likely to share an unpopularity award with Isak… pair of absolute rats” as another remarked: “Surprised at your tweet, Michael – considering you wrote the book…”
Elsewhere, a fifth concluded by making a good point about Eberechi Eze, writing: “This take is really absurd to say the least. Where is the class and professionalism? Eze got his wish even after playing the first games for Palace. Teach the younger ones how to handle such situations amicably and not soil their names in the mud because of personal ambitions.”