Real Madrid’s tour of Australia and Asia has provided an outstanding leading man: Isco Alarcón. The midfielder has returned to shine again. He excelled last season and at the start of this one he has hit the ground running, being one of the established leaders of the Madrid attack thanks to his touch and movement, providing quality and possession to an attack known primarily for its speed. All of the reports have rated Isco highly.
He has not scored any goals (although he did score one from the penalty spot) but he comes out of the tour as a positive thanks to his performances in the four friendly matches so far, especially against Manchester City when he provided two assists. Not surprisingly, he has been the most used outfield player by coach Rafa Benítez so far with 243 minutes, a figure only exceeded by goalkeeper Keylor Navas (who has played 270 minutes) and run close by Gareth Bale (239’). “As a coach I am thrilled to have players with this quality,” said Benítez. “ If we want to be competitive they must give 100 per cent and I will take a decision. It will be hard and both (Isco and James Rodríguez) will make it very difficult.”
His defensive work and judgement when Madrid have the ball has convinced Benítez. James has his place in the side, out wide on the right. If the role of playmaker has been designated to Bale, Isco would have to make do with a place on the bench. The only possibility for him to be a starter would be if Cristiano Ronaldo is used as a lone striker, meaning Bale would be on the left and Isco could feature in a 4-2-3-1. The one to miss out in that line-up would be Karim Benzema, the other player battling to start in this Madrid team. Isco’s performances have been so good that Benítez is contemplating tinkering with his initial system. According to a survey on AS.com, more than 50 per cent of the votes put the Malaga-born 23-year-old in the role of playmaker ahead of James (41 per cent) and Bale (nine per cent).
The future. Isco will not contemplate a season without much time on the pitch. He has had to earn his starting role in his two seasons at the Santiago Bernabéu. In his first season, in 2013/14 under Carlo Ancelotti, the defensive aspect of Angel di María’s play saw him join Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso in a 4-3-3, leaving no room for Isco. With the departure of the Argentine international to Manchester United a year ago, it was James who came in to take his starting role. Injuries to James and Modric allowed Isco more minutes (he played 53 matches overall, scored six goals and contributed 14 assists) but ahead of the coming season both of those players are at 100 per cent.
Isco is also thinking about Euro 2016: he needs an important role with his club to ensure he is part of Vicente del Bosque’s squad to travel to France. If that is not possible in Madrid there are other top teams in Europe keen to sign him. “I would like to have a creator in the team and of those I never get bored of watching is Isco, said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri only weeks ago. Manchester City and Arsenal are also keen but the Italian club are still contemplating a deal having so far been unable to clinch the signing of a playmaker that they desperately desire.