Real Madrid: Five players who are knocking on the door for more minutes

With 15 games into the season, Carlo Ancelotti’s second tenure at Real Madrid has gotten off to a smooth sailing start. From the 15 games played, Real have lost two games with one coming in La Liga and the other against Sheriff in the UEFA Champions League. The Merengues have won 10 out of their 15 games and everything looks to be going well for the Whites.

But in these 15 games, there have been a set of players who have enjoyed great continuity in the starting eleven with regular minutes. While on the flip side, there have been a few unfortunate players who continue to wait for their opportunity. In light of the previous statement, let’s have a look at five players who are knocking on Carlo Ancelotti’s door at the Valdebebas for more minutes after 15 games into the new term.

ISCO- ATTACKING MIDFIELDER

This was surprising, to say the least. If you didn’t already know, Isco was Carlo Ancelotti’s favourite attacking wildcard during his first tenure at the club from 2013 to 2015. The Spaniard was signed in the summer of 2013 from Malaga as a young midfielder with great promise after winning the Golden Boy award. Isco played 106 games under the Italian, the most out of any other player at Real Madrid during those two seasons.

I really thought that Ancelotti’s return could turn a new leaf in Isco’s career but that does not seem to be the case after 15 games into the 2021-22 season. So far, the attacking-midfielder has played only six games in La Liga with a total of 168 minutes. Out of the total minutes that Real Madrid has played in the Spanish league this season, Isco has participated in only 17% of the minutes available. All stats from FbREF.

This is really surprising, Ancelotti likes playing with a number 10 and it looked like Martin Odegaard would be his next big project at the club to develop. Instead, the Norwegian left for Arsenal and all the attention turned towards Isco to fill in the role.

I’m not sure what’s the reason behind Isco’s lack of minutes but the Spaniard has been quite average for the past couple of seasons. His only admirable display was against Levante in the 3-3 draw.  With Isco’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, he would definitely be one of the first players to be knocking on Carlo Ancelotti’s door for more minutes. Let’s now have a look at the next player.