On Tuesday night, Real Madrid playmaker Isco struck a sublime hat-trick in La Roja’s 6-1 win over Argentina at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano.
The former Malaga man produced the sort of performance of a player who should shine brightest on the biggest stages of world football. Yet, in the Spanish capital, he just does not seem to get the respect or credit he deserves.
At Real Madrid, there is a sense that he is not enough of a Galactico to be a star for Zinedine Zidane’s team. However, he has shined on many occasions for Los Blancos but is still not considered a star player.
Zidane’s lack confidence in the Isco
It seems that Isco is of a similar mind, as he told MARCA in his post-match interview, saying, “In Madrid, I don’t have the confidence a player needs,”
“The matches with the national team give me life, here I have the confidence of the coach. I want to show that I’m a good player.”
He also went on to say that Spanish boss Julen Lopetegui gives him the confidence that he needs to find his best form. He continued by: “Maybe I’m the problem in Madrid. I don’t know how to win Zidane’s confidence.”
Unfortunately, the situation that Isco finds himself in at the moment, is a factor in Madrid at times underachieving. It has not just been a problem in Zidane’s reign. The club from the capital has picked players on profile and not ability.
Isco is a very good player
For me, Isco shows his true playing ability when playing for his national team. When he moved to Real Madrid from Malaga as a youngster, the attacking midfielder was one of the brightest young players in his position.
However, due to a lack of regular football at the Bernabeu, he has not fulfilled his potential in the club game. It seems he is considered dispensable in Madrid. If everybody is fit, Isco is the first player to be dropped from the starting eleven.
The attacking midfielder has started just 18 La Liga games this season, scoring five goals and producing five assists for the European champions. His team have struggled domestically, though, which has probably not helped him produced his best form.
As his performances have shown for Spain, under the right boss Isco can shine. No wonder the 25-year-old’s confidence is in short supply considering the fact that he is seemingly so undervalued by the club from the Spanish capital.
Would be a star elsewhere
Maybe Isco now needs to consider a move away from the Spanish giants. There would be a massive queue for his signature in the summer. The Premier League would be a likely destination for the talented attacking midfielder.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal Chelsea and Liverpool have been linked with moves for the Spanish international in the past. However, it is Premier League leaders Manchester City who are the 2/1 favourites to sign Isco this summer.
He would be a star in most teams in the English top-flight. The style of Manchester City’s play would suit the star, though. He seems like sort of player that would thrive under the stewardship of Citizens boss Pep Guardiola.
Isco would be joining another club with many star players. However, Guardiola seems to value all the players in his City set-up and Isco comes across as an unassuming sort of guy.
For me, I highly doubt that Isco will ever thrive at Real Madrid. If he is to replicate his recent international form in the club game then he has to move on this summer and be appreciated next season, wherever he plies his trade.
