Thursday 9 March 2017 09:54, UK
Isco could be on his way out of Real Madrid this summer. The playmaker has plenty of admirers in the Premier League, but he needs the right move to make the most of his potential, writes Nick Wright.
There have been plenty of examples of what Isco is capable of in recent weeks. There was the pinpoint cross for Alvaro Morata's opener against Espanyol, the darting run and diagonal finish for his sixth La Liga goal of the season against Las Palmas, and, perhaps most significantly, the influential cameo from the bench against Villarreal.
Real Madrid had just fallen two goals behind when Isco jogged onto the pitch in place of Casemiro at El Madrigal. Six minutes later he spread the ball wide for Dani Caravajal to cross for Gareth Bale to pull a goal back, and seven minutes from time he stole the ball in midfield for Morata's winner.
The 3-2 win kept Madrid's title challenge on track - and it owed a lot to Isco. "His introduction changed the game," admitted Zinedine Zidane afterwards. "He broke the lines and opened up the pitch," wrote Eleonora Giovio in El País. "It was exactly what Real Madrid needed."
The midfielder has averaged a goal or assist every 99 minutes in La Liga this season. The problem is that he is not getting enough of them. Isco is in his fourth year at Madrid and his numbers are better than ever, but nailing down a starting spot in their star-studded squad has never been easy. Even in his current form, he has only started five of Madrid's last 16 games.
He is entitled to feel aggrieved. Madrid are unbeaten in the 17 games Isco has started this season - including their 3-0 win over Atletico at the Vicente Calderon in November. In what was arguably Madrid's outstanding performance of the season, Isco excelled, picking apart one of the best defences in Europe and driving his team forward from the No 10 role.
"Isco knows I count on him and I like him as a player," says Zidane. But when all his stars are fit and the big games come around, he is invariably omitted. Isco only made it off the bench for the last 10 minutes against Napoli on Tuesday night. In fact, he has only played 77 minutes in the Champions League all season.
It's why, with his contract up in 2018, he finally seems to be on his way out of the club this summer. According to Guillem Balague, the wheels are already in motion.
"Isco has demanded a lot more money, but this is perceived by the club as an excuse for him to leave, a way for him to be able to say the club did not want to renew his deal," he told Sky Sports this week. "There's a lot more to come on this one."
Whatever happens, Isco is certain to be sought-after. The Spain international is routinely linked with Europe's top clubs. Even Barcelona has been mooted as a possible destination. "All good players are welcome," said left-back Jordi Alba last month. "I have a lot of time for Isco, I know him from our time at Valencia and I know he has a lot of quality. As for anything else, time will tell."
The Premier League, though, might be a more realistic option. Isco was close to joining his "footballing father" Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City before he moved from Malaga to Real Madrid four years ago, and he has reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham as well.
It is not difficult to imagine Isco's ball-playing, creative talents improving one of the Premier League's top six, and at 24 he still has plenty of room for improvement, but competition for places has not been the only issue at Madrid. The Spaniard is prone to bouts of inconsistency. In the past, he has also faced questions over his work-rate and defensive contribution.
For his next club, the key will be using him correctly. At Madrid, he has grown accustomed to filling in for injured team-mates out wide or in deep midfield, but that rare opportunity at No 10 against Atletico in November was a reminder of where he is most effective. "I am delighted with the way Isco played up front behind Cristiano," said Zidane that day. "I think it's his best position."
Isco needs a regular starting spot and the freedom to play behind the striker if he is to make the most of his potential. Whether it happens in the Premier League remains to be seen, but with every big game he starts on the bench it becomes clearer. Isco must leave the Bernabeu behind in order to show what he is capable of on a consistent basis.
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