It was when Manuel Pellegrini took over at Manchester City and was handed the task of winning 5 trophies in 5 years by the club hierarchy that the name of Isco cropped up in the Manchester circle. Pellegrini had the youngster under his wing at Malaga where they shared a successful partnership and the gaffer was bent on bringing him to Manchester City as his marquee signing. But things were not meant to be and the glitz and glamour of Real Madrid understandably appealed to the player and he made the much-publicised move to Madrid.
3 Years on from that particular transfer and the player is again linked with a Manchester club, only this time, it is not City but Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho has reportedly identified the Real Madrid player as his top transfer target. Manchester United have spent a lot of money already but the recent blips and the displays of the other teams in the league has supposedly prompted Mourinho to make his United team even stronger. With City boasting of the likes of Gundogan, Silva and KDB, Manchester United’s midfield looks light with the exception of Paul Pogba. The likes of Fellaini, Schneiderlin and Carrick are all defensive minded midfielders and for different reasons are not looked at as the future of the club.
With the sharp decline of Rooney also factored in, along with the time which the likes of Pogba and Mkhitaryan are taking to adjust to the League, the rumoured interest from Jose Mourinho does not seem to be completely off the mark.
Isco’s most natural position is the attacking midfield role. He is at his best when deployed between the midfield and the attacking third. He can connect the team’s midfield and attack. Having said that he can also be deployed in the wider areas. Although, he is not a traditional winger, he can cut inside and operate in a more familiar role. He possesses impeccable technical ability and flawless vision. His ability to unlock a defence is up there with the best and his dribbling abilities helps him beat his man. He has an eye for goal as well and his shots from distance are well known in footballing circles.
His struggle at Real Madrid is well documented. The 24-year-old has struggled to establish himself in the first-team squad since joining Los Blancos from Malaga in 2013 and has made just three La Liga appearances for Real this season and all of them have come as a substitute. Almost all concerned parties are on the same wavelength that Isco cannot waste any more of his crucial years without playing and hence clubs have been on the prowl for his signature again.
The player is still highly rated and needs to move to revive his club and international career. AC Milan are also a club said to be in the running for the player but it is believed Manchester United will be favourites in January if they firm up their interest.]
And although sceptics might argue that attacking midfield is not an area Jose needs to strengthen immediately, realists will realise United need to beef up their midfield with a touch of class to compete for the highest honours and Isco will certainly bring oodles of that.
