In a recent report, Calciomercato has claimed that Everton are eyeing a move for Real Madrid playmaker Isco. It is understood that the Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti would like to snap up both Isco and his Los Blancos teammate, Lucas Vazquez so that he can convince James Rodriguez to prolong his stay at Goodison Park (via Calciomercato).
Isco’s Growing Struggles At The Spanish Capital This Season
Isco has endured a difficult season at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium as he has struggled to find any consistency with his performances under Zinedine Zidane’s stewardship thus far. The Spanish attacker has featured in 19 matches for the Madrid giants this term, picking up just one assist in all competitions.
Most of his appearances have been off the bench which goes to show why the 28-year-old is only averaging 0.6 shots, 0.6 key passes and 1.4 dribbles per game in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League this season. Still, the Benalmadena-born sensation deserves credit for being tidy when distributing the ball after completing 90% of his attempted passes in both those competitions (stats via whoscored).
Isco has got less than 18 months remaining in his Madrid contract, so this summer could be his ideal chance to make a fresh start away from the Bernabeu in search of more game time in the upcoming campaign.
What Does The Spanish Sensation Bring To The Table?
Despite lacking pace under his belt, Isco is still one of the best dribblers in Spanish football as he showcases excellent balance, close control and composure when running with the ball at his feet. The Spanish attacker has also got a wide range of passes in his locker and can shoot the ball well from long range.
Isco is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also play in a box to box midfield role or as a winger on the left flank. However, he is in dire need to find some consistency in terms of his productivity in the final third. Furthermore, there are some question marks over his long-term fitness because of his poor injury record at Madrid.
Is Isco The Right Choice For The Toffees?
If Everton have the funds to pull off a transfer for Isco, they should consider doing it as he will significantly improve the quality of their first-team as long as Ancelotti is willing to offer him regular game time at Goodison Park. The Spaniard will fancy his chances of getting a permanent first-team spot at Merseyside, and the Toffees boss could help him get his career back on track.
At 28, Isco is currently at the peak of his playing career, so Ancelotti can expect to get the best out of him if he can engineer a move to acquire the underperforming Real Madrid star’s services during the summer transfer window. With all things considered, Isco will be a decent choice for Everton in the short-term and would add some healthy competition for Gylfi Sigurdsson next season.
