Isco was one of the midfielders every team would have liked to have two seasons ago. Now he looks lost in a new Madrid setup. Here’s a look at Isco’s time at Real Madrid.
Isco’s Time at Real Madrid
Technical Excellence
For all of Isco’s limitations, his technique is unquestionable. Like most Spanish midfielders of his generation, he is silky and creative on the ball. His close control and touch are his biggest assets. He uses them to carry the ball through tight spaces, picking out passes for forwards who break past the backline of defences. This works both ways for him. When Madrid’s team is confident and in sync, his ingenuity is integral to their attacking approach. However, when the team is lethargic, he can be identified as a burden. Isco’s time at Real Madrid has had plenty of both phases.
Last season, as Madrid struggled in matches against teams big and small, he would drop deep and try to create, only to take on one man too many and lose possession in dangerous areas. His ability and talent are unquestionable, but he’s still not developed the attitude to use these traits in adverse conditions. If his technical excellence can be coupled with adaptability, he can still become one of the best midfielders in the world.
Attitude and Injuries
Last season, Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez had his worst season since joining the merengues in 2013. Registering three goals in 27 league appearances, the manager often dropped Isco from the starting line-up and even the matchday squad. This was usually because of his attitude rather than his form.
Julien Lopetegui, who started the season as Madrid coach, had used the Spaniard very effectively during his time in charge of the Spanish national team. The same continued when he took charge of Los Blancos in 2018. However, the playmaker suffered an appendicitis issue and had to undergo surgery. He’d had muscular issues in the past as well. Lopetegui’s time at the capital side came to an end after a harrowing defeat to fierce rivals Barcelona. Santiago Solari was appointed the head coach and that was never going to be good news for Isco.
Solari was a model professional during his time as a player. So his attitude towards training and games was predictably workmanlike. Spanish media reported that he didn’t take kindly to Isco’s relaxed attitude during training and so left him out during matches. Isco has never been an intense footballer. He jokes around with teammates and plays like he’s on a playground. This attitude is often cited as a reason for his inconsistency during the season. He has not been able to command a regular starting spot for an entire season under Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez or Zinedine Zidane. His lack of positional versatility is one factor. But, his absentmindedness has always made him an easy target for coaches to choose to drop him.
What Next for Isco?
Isco will continue to fight to become a regular at Real. He faces tough competition if he wants to play in the front three with Hazard and Jovic supplementing an already star-studded frontline. However, he has limited competitors in midfield. If he can start taking more responsibility and improve his work rate, he can easily compete with an ageing Luka Modric for the role of a ball-carrying playmaker. He can also displace Toni Kroos in the side, although Zidane sees the German as an indispensable cog in the wheel due to his ball retention qualities.
Zidane has also tinkered with the formation in a disastrous pre-season for Real so far. He has shifted from his favoured 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot in midfield. This could be good news for the former Malaga man as he could occupy the attacking midfield position behind the striker. He would face competition from James Rodriguez for that role but having won that head-to-head in the 2016-17 season against the Colombian, he’ll be confident of doing that again.
Real has a big season ahead, and so does Isco. This year could be make or break for him at the Spanish capital. Whether we see the best of him or a repeat of last season remains to be seen. Isco’s time at Real Madrid has been as enigmatic as he is, only time will tell which way he’ll sway the Madridistas this time.
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