Mansion Sports - The first international break of the season arrived just days after Liverpool completed their record-breaking Premier League signing of Alexander Isak.

The Swedish striker finalized his move to Anfield on deadline day before immediately joining his national team camp in preparation for World Cup qualifiers. 

There, he reunited with fellow Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres, who himself had just secured a high-profile transfer to Arsenal earlier in the summer.

With Isak’s move still fresh in the headlines, the topic quickly became a talking point. In an interview, Gyökeres revealed that he had already congratulated his teammate on the transfer.

Gyökeres Weighs In on the Debate Over “Player Power”

When asked about the concept of player power—where footballers push for a move against their club’s wishes—Gyökeres offered a measured yet critical perspective.

“I think the clubs hold the greatest power. In many cases, it is very difficult for players to make choices. When a player is no longer wanted by the club, the situation is reversed: he has no power at all, and the club can do whatever they want with him. That is tough, but it is the reality,” he said.

His comments came in the aftermath of Newcastle United’s determined stance to keep Isak, even though the striker made it clear he wanted a move to Liverpool. Isak trained alone for a month before finally securing his switch to the Reds.

Gyökeres’ Own Experience in a Similar Situation

Gyökeres’ remarks stem from personal experience. Prior to his Arsenal move, Sporting CP complicated negotiations, leading to significant tension. 

His agent even accused the Portuguese club of showing disrespect toward the striker throughout the process.

Both Isak and Gyökeres were among the most sought-after forwards during the summer transfer window, attracting interest from several top European clubs. Ultimately, each player managed to secure a move to the club they had targeted from the outset.

National Teammates but Premier League Rivals

As teammates for the Swedish national team, Isak and Gyökeres have collectively scored 31 goals for their country. They will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign with a match against Slovenia on Friday.

Once international duty concludes, the two strikers will return to their respective clubs—Isak with Liverpool and Gyökeres with Arsenal—where they will find themselves on opposing sides in the battle for Premier League supremacy. Teammates on the international stage, but rivals in England’s top flight.