Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is determined to keep hold of the “limitless potential” of in-form striker Alexander Isak.
The 24-year-old Sweden international scored his 19th goal of the season and his eighth in nine Premier League outings in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Everton hours after headlines suggested North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are ready to battle it out for his signature this summer.
However, the Magpies’ head coach is determined to hang on to his £63million record signing, who arrived on Tyneside during the summer of 2022 after learning his trade at AIK Solna, Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad in Spain.
Asked about Isak, Howe said: “For me, Alex has limitless potential.
“You’ve got someone who has had really good experiences in his career. He’s travelled as a young player and had some experience of different leagues.
“He’s come to us at a really good time of his career where we can help him, develop his talents and give him a platform to show how good he is.
“At the moment, he’s building in confidence all the time. He’s a high-level player and we’re delighted to have him with us.”
Newcastle’s challenges in complying with spending rules, which prompted chief executive Darren Eales to admit earlier this season that they may have to trade players to recruit, has led to speculation that some of the club’s biggest names could be sold.
However, asked about Isak’s future, Howe said: “You have to try to keep your best players. Whether you’re able to do that continually with the rules that are in place at the moment, that’s always unsure.
“I’m not in control of that, but from my perspective, to be the team that we want to be, we have to keep our best players and keep improving.”
Isak’s latest contribution to the black and white cause looked to have secured another three points until substitute Paul Dummett wrestled Ashley Young to the ground to hand Dominic Calvert-Lewin the chance to level from the penalty spot, which he did with two minutes remaining.
The England striker had been thrown on along with Andres Gomes and James Garner with 61 minutes gone with the visitors’ bench significantly stronger than that available to Howe, who confirmed Tino Livramento and Miguel Almiron will both be sidelined by injury for around a month.
Opposite number Sean Dyche was delighted with the impact of his substitutes on a night when Everton’s run without a Premier League win was extended to a club record 13 games.
He said: “It’s a squad mentality. We’ve been trying to build that at the club since I’ve come along really. I reminded them of that and how important it is. ‘Be the person who makes the difference’ is what I always say to them, and it rubs off.
“Second-half particularly, it looked like everyone was making a difference and that’s the feeling we’ve got to maintain. We’ve got to keep on with that and find that consistency to keep taking these games on and the wins will come.”
Liverpool 'ahead of schedule', says departing Klopp ahead of Slot arrival
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool are "ahead of schedule" after suggesting their third-placed finish in the Premier League marks a "statement" in a challenging competition.
Reds manager Klopp took charge of his final game with Liverpool in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Wolves, with Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah both on target in the first half at Anfield.
Liverpool threatened a title challenge midway through this campaign but fell away from contention alongside Arsenal and eventual winners Manchester City, settling for Champions League football next term.
Klopp refuted suggestions Liverpool need a significant "overhaul" as Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot prepares to start his tenure at Anfield next season.
"I'm sure you will all agree there does not need to be an overhaul," the departing Liverpool manager told Sky Sports after his emotional farewell on the pitch.
"We finished third. We were ahead of schedule. It's a statement in this strong league and I'm absolutely fine with that."
Klopp announced his intentions to leave back in January, with Sunday marking a memorable goodbye for the former Borussia Dortmund head coach.
"I thought it might be more sad in the beginning but when people realise, it's all good," he continued.
"If I carry on, these guys and others will say 'he's been there too long'. You have to be the spark. I love the squad. There is so much potential. They will make changes here and there.
"There has been such a long lead-up to this day and it was really intense. I had my bad moments as well but thank God, not today.
"I'm just thankful for what has happened, when you are in it, you forget sometimes how great it is. You take it for granted.
"Now I stand here, I'm just so happy I'm a part of the club's history. It's wonderful."
Klopp believes he leaves Liverpool having played the most entertaining football, even if his tenure ended with fewer trophies than some seasons merited due to the brilliance of Pep Guardiola's Man City.
"It's so super special that it's difficult to explain," Klopp added. "We live in a world where it's all about results for others.
"We learn that not getting absolutely everything is fine. It's such a massive lesson for life. It's not about that, it's about the journey and the togetherness and that's what I love. Things might not always go perfect.
"The other clubs, with the most money and the best managers, they win it. We didn't have the best manager and never had the best team but for a while we played the best football and I love that.
"We are a rock-solid club and don't overspend. People say 'you didn't spend enough.' What the heck do you want? I just understand this from the Liverpool way."
Grealish reveals off-pitch struggles, hails supportive Guardiola
Jack Grealish has revealed he struggled away from the pitch this season, thanking Pep Guardiola for his support after Manchester City retained their Premier League title.
City clinched an unprecedented fourth straight title on Sunday, finishing two points clear of Arsenal at the summit as Phil Foden scored twice in a 3-1 win over West Ham.
Guardiola has now joined Alex Ferguson (13), George Ramsay and Bob Paisley (six each) as one of four managers with at least six English top-flight titles.
Grealish has been present for the last three of those triumphs, though his form in 2023-24 was down on a bright 2022-23 campaign, when he scored five goals and added seven assists in 28 league matches.
The England international only registered four Premier League goal involvements (three goals, one assist) this term, being limited to just 10 starts by fitness issues and poor form.
Speaking to Sky Sports after Sunday's trophy presentation, Grealish said of Guardiola: "He's an unbelievable guy.
"I've had times this season that I've struggled off the pitch, I don't mind saying that, and he's been there for me so much.
"He's a brilliant manager on the pitch but behind closed doors and in his office, he's helped me too.
"I'm so proud of some of these guys and happy for them. People like [Mateo] Kovacic, what a brilliant guy.
"He's played every minute in the last few weeks and then today he doesn't, and he took it so well. I'm so proud."
Reflecting on his own performances, Grealish added: "I don't feel like I've performed well this season at all. I performed better this year than my first year.
"That first year I just wanted to win no matter what. Last year I played more, and this season has been stop-start. I played well in points.
"My standards are high so I feel like I could've played more in some games. I wanted to play as much as I could like last season.
"We have so many good players here so it's difficult. There's no team in the world that rotates like this team does but that's the beauty of it."
Edwards salutes 'special club' Luton after relegation confirmed
Rob Edwards paid tribute to "special club" Luton Town after the Hatters' relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on the final day.
Luton's brief but eventful stint in the top flight came to an end following a 4-2 defeat by Fulham at Kenilworth Road, with Edwards' side finishing 18th and six points adrift of 17th-place Nottingham Forest.
Last-day survival was always going to be a big ask for the Hatters, who needed a victory and an ambitious 12-goal swing to stand any chance of usurping Forest.
Luton have gained many new admirers with their tally of 52 goals the second-most by a side during a 20-team Premier League season in which they were relegated - after Blackpool's 55 in 2010-11.
However, a leaky defence proved to be their undoing as they conceded 85 times - their highest tally in a top-flight campaign.
Nevertheless, Edwards saluted the club's supporters, and believes his side have a solid foundation to build on next season in their quest for an immediate return from the Championship.
"We're a special club, we've got unique support. We've had that all season long," he told Match of the Day. "Everyone that's travelled has shown their best. We've given our best this year, and ultimately we've just come up short.
"If one game could almost tell a season's story, that would be today - full of endeavour, some really good quality at times as well, but a little bit too fragile.
"We've scored a lot of goals this year. We've been good to watch, we've been involved in loads of great games, but we've conceded too many. That balance is something that we've got to try to address, and we know where we need to keep improving.
"We have changed and evolved so much. There is a lot of good stuff we can take to attack the Championship next season. We work hard, we give absolutely everything. We just have to be us, go and be Luton."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
