Alexander Isak finally rejoined training—but this time with the Swedish national team—shortly after completing a £125 million transfer to Liverpool, a move that made him the most expensive player in Premier League history.
The transfer concluded late on Monday, and despite the long day and simmering uncertainty, Isak appeared refreshed and in good spirits during Sweden’s training session on Tuesday. He had been training alone at Newcastle while the move was unresolved, so it was a noticeable shift to see him laughing and enjoying himself alongside his national teammates in Stockholm.
Fellow striker Viktor Gyokeres—who also underwent a summer transfer saga of his own from Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal for around £63 million—expressed relief that the uncertainty was over, saying: “It’s not really something you want to be stuck in forever. Playing is what we all live for”.
Sweden coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, while cautious about Isak’s match fitness due to his lack of game time, did not shy away from the striker’s potential influence, offering high praise by calling him a “game-changer”.
With both Isak and Gyokeres now available, Sweden enters their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo with a formidable striking duo.
Why this matters
- A swift reset: Isak’s move had been overshadowed by weeks of tension and isolation. His appearance in national team training—looking sharp and upbeat—signals a fresh start.
- Leadership and relief: Gyokeres’s comments capture shared frustrations and the collective relief among players once uncertainty ends.
- Sweden’s frontline boosted: The presence of two top-tier strikers gives coach Tomasson more tactical options and strengthens Sweden’s hopes in a critical qualifying window.
