Isco Alarcon is reportedly upset about being benched by Zinedine Zidane. After missing the Euro 2016 tournament and the Champions League opener, the Real Madrid midfielder looks set to leave in the winter transfer window.
It’s been a tough few weeks for Real Madrid. FIFA has imposed a transfer ban for the next two transfer windows, preventing them from signing any players. In addition to this, rumors have been circulating about various players wanting to leave the club. Both James Rodriguez and Isco Alarcon have reportedly been upset with their lack of playing time. Out of the two of them, Isco has gotten the least playing time this season and looks set to leave in the winter transfer window.
Isco Alarcon joined Real Madrid in the 2013/14 season, and was widely considered one of the best emerging talents in Spain. The young midfielder/winger lit up La Liga and the Champions League, showcasing his talented dribbling, ball control, and playmaking.
Falling out with Madrid
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After Zidane’s appointment as head coach, Isco has only played 1,314 of 2,790 minutes. This works out to just 47 per cent of possible playing time. The 24-year-old midfielder was involved in 65% of the minutes under Italian predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti. He was featured in 62% of Spaniard Benitez’s minutes in charge.
While it’s easy to assume that the midfielder simply doesn’t fit into the Frenchman’s plans, many people are speculating that it’s all a game of patience. The transfer ban may very well be a blessing in disguise. With Real Madrid banned from buying in the next two transfer markets, Isco is almost guaranteed playing time. Players get injured all the time, and that could very well be Isco’s chance to shine.
Madrid so close to full strength that Asensio, Isco (and Nacho) are fit but in suits in stand.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) September 14, 2016
The main issue is that Isco may have run out of patience. The midfielder has produced some solid results, and most fans argue that he is a talent that we should be seeing week in and week out. It’s clear that he’s pretty far down in the pecking order when it comes to attacking midfielders at Madrid.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are Zidane’s main picks, with James Rodriguez and Marco Asensio being the next choices. When it comes to playing as a right-winger, both Gareth Bale and Lucas Vasquez are more likely to play.
Possible move to Tottenham
That’s were Tottenham come in. Isco has been linked to a move to the Premier League since before his arrival in Madrid. Real Madrid snubbed the young midfielder from Manchester City with a £25 million bid back in 2013.
Tottenham offered Real Madrid a season long loan option earlier in August but Real Madrid turned down the loan due to Isco wanting to stay put. Tottenham Hotspur then decided to buy Son Heung-min from Bayer Leverkusen instead.
It seems they haven’t given up completely though. The Daily Mail reports that Tottenham Hotspur are still looking to acquire the young midfielder. They hope to bring Isco to White Hart Lane sometime in the winter transfer window.
Zinedine Zidane has made it clear that he prefers playing James Rodriguez in the midfield. While Isco is a great dribbler and has good vision, there’s few players who can produce the results that the Colombian playmaker does.