According to the reports from Spanish media outlet AS, Real Madrid are expecting Manchester City to be interested in signing Isco in January. It is believed that the Spanish creative midfielder is open to moving to the Premier League to regain his ‘best level’. Guardiola is also known to be an admirer of the Spaniard.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Isco’s career hasn’t kicked on as it was expected. The 27-year-old was considered as one of the top talents in the past 3-4 years, but he has struggled to get going due to loss of form and injuries of late. This season, the Spanish international has appeared in 4 La Liga games playing just 170 minutes of football.
Even last season, he started in just 11 games in the Spanish top flight, and he seems to be out of favour under Zidane now. Manchester City, on the other hand, are chasing Liverpool in the Premier League to defend their title.
Where can Isco fit in at Manchester City?
Guardiola is loaded with attacking options in his team at the moment. However, he will lose the services of David Silva by the end of the 2019-20 season. The Spaniard can be considered as a modern-day legend for the Citizens as he has been a backbone of the side in midfield for the past decade.
Isco can naturally play the role of Silva at the club. However, that would hinder the progress of Phil Foden, who is being seen as a natural successor to David Silva. Foden has remained at the club even though he has made just handful appearances in the past two seasons. It is clear that he is waiting for his chances once Silva retires, but if the club goes on to spend big money on Isco, then it could spell trouble for the young Englishman’s future at the Etihad.
What should Guardiola do?
Maybe two years back, Isco would have been a dream signing for Manchester City, but at the moment, one cannot be sure of what one would get from signing the Spaniard after his loss in form. City are already loaded with playmakers like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva so spending big bucks to bring in another player in the same mould doesn’t make much sense.
Moreover, the emergence of Foden will be hampered immensely. Real Madrid might be expecting City to come in for Isco, but we don’t see that happening in January or even next summer. The club should instead look to bring in a defender in January to bolster the squad.
