Summer's transfer circus has received enormous attention and it has also stirred up strong emotions.
One camp sees him as a traitor, who has quarreled his way to Liverpool. Another camp thinks that he follows the logic of top football and takes the chance when it is offered.
Krafth must be considered to belong to the latter group.
There were many who wanted to see "Alex" stay, but at the same time, one understands how football works. I wish him all the best for the future, says the national team defender.
"No oddities"
And continues:
For me, he is not just a football player, but also a close friend. You know how football can work sometimes. For us, it's no oddities.
Krafth denies that Isak's controversial transfer has created tensions and factions in the dressing room. He calls it pure fabrication.
It's really not true that it has divided the dressing room. Football players understand football players.
There's no one who has said or done anything. It's just taken out of the air. You understand his situation and you understand the club's. You understand a player of his caliber.
Can you understand the fans' discontent?
Yes, absolutely in a way. I think the fans reason a little differently than what players do. I understand their frustration. For us players, it's a job, for them it's about passion.
Frequent contact
Krafth has supported his friend during the turbulent time for Isak when he was not allowed to train collectively with Newcastle.
We had contact often, talked on the phone and met too. Of course, it was tough times for him, but he is strong mentally. Of course, it was tough for him, but he handled it.
How has he been?
Pretty okay. There are days when he's felt a little worse, but overall it's been okay. It's been mentally tough for him to train alone for a month.
Krafth chose the other path. In February, he extended his contract by one season plus an option year.
We're really enjoying it in Newcastle, my family and I. For us, it was pretty easy to extend. We feel at home and have lived there for several years, he says.
Hopes to play
As the project takes shape to make Newcastle a big club that challenges for the titles, the Swedish defender has been given sparse playing time.
Of course, you hope to play more, but at the same time, we have very good competition in the team. It can go quickly in football too. Last season, we had an injury and I played ten matches in a row.
Neither Isak nor Krafth played the World Championship qualifying premiere against Slovenia on Friday. Krafth is ready to make an effort against Kosovo in Pristina on Monday.
Absolutely. I feel in good physical shape. Of course, I have hopes of getting to play.
