Deeney: Criticism of Isak is Excessive, Haaland Missed Chances Too

2026-08-30

Deeney defends Isak, stating that criticism from outside is unfair

Former Premier League player Troy Deeney has recently remarked that the criticism aimed at Swedish forward Alexander Isak has been excessively harsh. He pointed out that Erling Haaland also missed a golden opportunity in the match against Bournemouth, yet he remains a frontrunner for the Golden Boot.

Deeney's View on Isak

Since his return to St. James' Park, Isak has faced significant scrutiny, particularly during a time when a new coach has taken charge and the team is under immense pressure, making such criticism seem absurd. Surprisingly, some have even expressed discontent at Isak for letting a penalty be taken by the designated spot-kick taker, who subsequently converted it successfully.

Deeney expressed strong belief that Isak's goal tally this season will surpass the combined total of both Visar and Osula, even going so far as to wager £2,000 to a charity on this outcome. He emphasized that when assessing Isak, one cannot solely focus on his initial performances or pay homage to the legendary Kevin Keegan; labeling him as a "flop" is particularly foolish, especially considering the attacking options available to him.

Additionally, Deeney mentioned that if Liverpool were to sign Balcola and another former Crystal Palace teammate, Ismaila Sarr, Isak's performance would significantly improve. The pace and defensive contributions of both players would create more attacking opportunities for Isak.

He highlighted that while Balcola and Sarr's one-on-one breakout ability differs from that of Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, this diversity could positively affect Isak's contributions. Should Balcola ultimately join, Deeney predicted that Gakpo might also be on his way to Tottenham, potentially setting off a flurry of activity in the transfer market.