Alexander Isak is making the mistake his idol never did, and it’s too late to take it back

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Alexander Isak is caught between a rock and a hard place at the moment, with the Newcastle United star wanting out of St James’ Park, Liverpool his ideal destination.

Isak made a statement before the PFA Player of the Year awards on Thursday. The striker claimed that “promises were broken and trust is lost” on Tyneside, which led to the club’s rebuttal stating the Swede’s words were untrue.

Newcastle also welcomed him back into the first-team squad, but it’s clear that Isak wants Liverpool.

After a long, messy transfer saga – it’s safe to say that even if it isn’t over for Isak, his potential legendary status at the club is. Ironic, considering his idol.

Alexander Isak won’t become a legend like Thierry Henry

Isak’s idol is Thierry Henry, with the Swede adorning the number 14 in homage to the legendary French forward.

Isak has drawn comparisons to Henry, which the Arsenal legend has acknowledged.

“First and foremost, I don’t like comparisons,” Henry previously stated. “People like to compare eras and players. He is himself, and he is doing extremely well.”

He added: “He can finish, he can dribble, and isn’t uncomfortable when he goes in from the right or left. He still knows what he can do; that must be from his days playing at Real Sociedad when he used to play on the wings at times. He is a good player, you have to say that.”

Isak also responded to these claims. “I think that’s a stretch”, the Swede put it bluntly.

But while the two share similarities on the pitch, given recent events, people will look back on their career paths in very different lights.

Thierry Henry cried when leaving his club, Isak likely won’t

Henry, despite his brilliance, which attracted many suitors, never tried to force a move out of Arsenal and has openly stated he did not want to leave the club, crying when his time came to an end.

“I never considered leaving Arsenal. But I was 29 years old and in form, I thought all the guys left and I did not know if Arsene [Wenger] would be staying,” he told BeIn Sports.

“It was not easy, and when I left I cried. I’m not ashamed to say it. I’m a competitor and I had to leave. When I arrived at Barcelona, Guardiola told me that I was the fourth-choice striker and I would not be a starter.

“I accepted the challenge and I fought, and competition makes you increase your level. People talk about luck, but you need to create your own. When you work, you get the reward at the end.”

Henry, of course, returned to the Emirates, but if Isak were to depart Newcastle, it’s safe to say there really is no route back for him.

Isak’s actions have forced him into this precarious situation, and he only has himself to blame.

What happens for the rest of the window remains to be seen, but Isak’s reputation as a footballer, and certainly at Newcastle, has been tarnished in this transfer window.