The victory over local Rivals West Ham United at the weekend has taken Chelsea closer to their second Premier League Trophy in 3 years. They have all but qualified for the Champions League next season and Antonio Conte has already looked into additions to the squad who can help them compete with the best in Europe. Out of the many stars that have been linked to the club recently, Real Madrid star Isco is one player that can take the team to the next level. However, Chelsea will face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Manchester City with Pep Guardiola also keen on the Spanish midfielder. But, here is why the 24-year-old is a compulsory signing for the London outfit in the summer.
At just 24, the Benalmadena born midfielder has already played close to 200 senior games in La Liga and has 35 goals to his name. He has played for the Spanish National team at every junior level and also has 17 appearances for the senior side. He has been at the Bernabeu since 2013 making more than 100 appearances but he has not been able to cement a place in the starting 11 under current manager Zinedine Zidane. At his age, he is in search of some regular playing time and both the English clubs can promise him more time on the pitch than what he is getting at the Bernabeu.
However, at Stamford Bridge, Isco could become the first choice midfielder ahead of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas. The Italian manager has a gem of a player in N’Golo Kante who seems to be able to cover more than his share of the pitch in every game. Matic has been decent defensively but has not been able to help Chelsea going forward. Conte needs a player who can create chances from a deeper role and Isco could be the perfect solution. Fabregas has already been linked with an exit and might not be with the club at the start of next season. Hence, Isco would also be a wonderful replacement for the Fabregas.
Capable of excelling in an attacking role, Isco is a player who loves to have the ball at his feet. An excellent dribbler, with exceptional technique, the Spanish midfielder hardly misplaces a pass even under severe pressure. He is more than capable of carrying the ball from the back into the final third but he is more adept at sitting deep and finding his men in dangerous areas. Isco and Kante would be a match made in heaven. While the Frenchman can sit deep and snub attacks out, Isco can roam freely around the pitch and worry about turning defence into attack in no time. With 6 goals and 5 assists in just 12 starts in the La Liga this season, Isco also knows his way towards the goal and will make this Chelsea attack even stronger. Isco might be a bit week in the air but he more than makes up for it with his sumptuous touches and deceiving turns. He also has a decent work rate that will certainly impress Conte, making him an inch perfect solution to one of the few issues that the squad at Stamford Bridge is carrying this season.
Conte is in desperate need of a midfielder who can partner Kante next season and there are very few midfielders out in the transfer market ready to move who are better than the Spaniard from Bernabeu. Losing him to Manchester City would be disastrous for the Blues as he will not only improve their direct title rival but will also leave Chelsea searching for another player in the transfer market who can fill the gap. Chelsea can spend big, but they will need a player who would fit in well with the system and Isco at just around £30m, could be the right man for Chelsea for years to come.
Do you think Chelsea can afford to miss out on the 24-year-old this summer?