Only fans are loyal not players

Loyalty is a virtue, but in football, business comes first. Alexander Isak is simply the latest high-profile player to walk the rocky path previously trodden by Trent Alexander Arnold, Harry Kane and Robin van Persie.

Supporters are the ones who tattoo their bodies with permanent expressions of loyalty and devotion to their team, but don't expect the players to do that. Yet whenever a player is being accused of disloyalty and even treachery for wanting to move .

Just ask Manchester United's Rasmus Højlund, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi or Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling about the other side of football loyalty, when it is the club that attempts to sever a relationship on their terms for financial gain. It works both ways.

Isak, who has not kicked a ball for Newcastle United this summer due to his determination to force a move to Liverpool, has been labelled "Judas" by some of his club's supporters, called a "Pure Rat" on one banner held up outside the club's training ground and subjected to chants of "greedy bastard" in his absence during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.

Alexander-Arnold had similar treatment at Liverpool last season as he ran down his contract before sealing a move to Real Madrid his No. 66 shirt was shown being burned on more than one occasion, and fans booed him on his first appearance after his exit was confirmed, while even Tottenham icon Kane was taunted by Spurs fans during his failed attempt to leave for Manchester City in 2021.

For  Van Persie, Arsenal fans still haven't forgiven their former captain for successfully pushing for a move to Manchester United in 2012 because he wanted to win major trophies something he did immediately at Old Trafford by scoring the goals to deliver the Premier League title 12 months later.