When Carlo Ancelotti was confirmed as Real Madrid’s new coach last summer, Isco must have expected a career rebirth. The Spanish midfielder had found himself in the fringes of the first team under Zinedine Zidane.
Last season, he made 29 appearances in all competitions with best au online casinos watching. While he played 25 times in LaLiga Santander, just eight of those were as a starter. Ancelotti even promised to give the skilful midfielder an opportunity. He did.
After only featuring for two minutes in the season’s opener against Alaves, Isco started against Levante and Real Betis. He was poised for three consecutive appearances for the first time since January 2020.
However, Isco found himself in familiar territory again despite impressing. He played just 12 minutes against Valencia, 18 against Real Mallorca and nine against Villarreal. Since that 0-0 draw with the Yellow Submarine on September 25, Isco has not played for Real Madrid.
The Spanish star was diagnosed with a back problem that kept him out for October, as he missed the matches with Espanyol, Barcelona and Osasuna. Ancelotti then brought Isco back into the squad for the last two games against Elche and Rayo Vallecano, but on both occasions, he was left on the bench.
Isco has not played a single minute in the Champions League this season. While he was injured for Real Madrid’s win against Shakhtar Donetsk in Kyiv, he has stayed on the bench for the other three.
Isco doesn’t suit Ancelotti’s style. The Italian prefers out-and-out wingers in Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Marco Asensio on both sides of the striker. That leaves no room for Isco who is best behind the striker.
It is being reported that Isco is set to depart the Santiago Bernabeu. He may look to kickstart his career in England, where he has never played before. Arsenal is said to be interested. With the Spaniard’s contract set to expire in June, the move seems like the best for all parties.
Arsenal has reportedly maintained contact with the Spanish club and would look to loan him for free in the January transfer window, but Mikel Arteta’s side will pay all his wages and according www.usrealmoney-casinos.com, the team seemed able to afford his wages.
In Isco, the Gunners will get an experienced midfielder who will add flair and depth to the midfield. While Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe are long-term options for the club, Arteta could make do with his countryman when he occasionally needs to rest either.
Isco is versatile. He can play as a centre attacking midfielder, a forward in a 4-4-2 diamond formation, a left-winger who can cut inside and score, or a right-winger who can play a floating role as a creative playmaker. Arsenal can have a great deal of success with him in any of those roles. And at 29 with his technical quality and dribbling ability, he isn’t slowing down. Isco is in his prime and just needs consistent playing time to perform at a high level.
Leaving Real Madrid means a huge relief for Los Blancos in terms of the wage bill. For the player, he may not mind taking a pay cut at Arsenal in exchange for regular playing time.