The January winter transfer window is already generating a lot of buzz ahead of its opening, and one name that is slowly garnering widespread attention as we drift towards the end of the year is Real Madrid midfielder Isco.
Every other transfer window, the 24-year-old is always being linked with a purported switch to the English Premier League. Summer was no different and neither is this coming winter.
The Mancunian clubs, north London giants Arsenal and Tottenham are all said to be in the race to land his services after Christmas, and of keen interest in his links to the White Hart Lane.
Mauricio Pochettino has been very keen to land Isco for a while now, and did see a loan approach for the out of favour Madrid star rejected in summer. The Argentine’s desire to have Isco seems to have stemmed from watching him play first-hand during a brief coaching stint with Espanyol.
But do Spurs really need Isco? The attacking midfielder has failed to nail down a starting spot under any of Real Madrid’s 3 most recent coaches. Ancelloti, Benitez, and Zidane never saw a need to squeeze him into their different starting lineups during their tenures. And no, it was never a lack of quality on Isco’s part, rather, he has just never really stepped up his game enough to deserve a starting berth.
Will that happen all of a sudden at White Hart Lane? With the intensity and pace of the league, it might take a while for him to adapt. Or he might never adapt at all. It’s a big gamble Poch is willing to take given the qualities of the former Malaga wonder kid.
Isco’s versatility makes him deplorable in all the various attacking roles on the field of play. Apart from his ability to turn out great through the middle and on the wings, he is also able to play deep in midfield alongside a primary defensive midfielder. He’s the complete package as far as that goes.
On the other hand, if he will be able to fit his style into Tottenham’s high tempo style remains to be seen. No team has covered more distance or made more sprints than the Lilywhites this season. And the high pressing system takes time to master, as noticeable in Son’s debut season last term, and also with Janssen at the moment.
On a sheer optimistic note, say Isco hits the ground running upon arrival if a January move works out, he is very much going to fight for a starting shirt. All over again. And he quite didn’t succeed for 4 seasons the last time he tried. Everyone above him in the Madrid’s pecking order are better, and same can be said of his prospective competitions at Tottenham.
Lamela, Eriksen, and Alli have made their respective attacking position theirs, and Son is on the standby to slot right into one of those positions once any of them drops out of favour with Pochettino. Behind the trio, Sissoko and Wanyama, 2 of the strongest midfielders on earth have laid claim to the available spots, leaving the highly talented duo of Dembele and Dier on the bench.
Isco can provide great competition, but his chances of breaking into Tottenham’s starting lineup reckonings are very low. He is more likely to get frustrated just like he has ever been at Madrid. Even as a squad player, he has other quality options to contend with. Do Tottenham really need him considering the depth in their squad at the moment?
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