In the wake of Everton’s 2-1 weekend defeat away against Newcastle, manager Carlo Ancelotti was composed and coy amid links with a loan swoop for Real Madrid’s Isco in January.
Reports over the weekend claimed that the playmaker will be made available for loan in the January window and that the Toffees had been keen over taking him to Merseyside – but would Isco be surplus to requirements for Ancelotti’s tactics?
The creative Spanish playmaker has managed 51 goals and 54 assists since joining Real Madrid from Malaga in 2013, with 312 appearances to date for the capital club.
The Spanish international could be a potent addition to Everton’s goal threat, and the 28-year-old still retains good value and prolific years ahead of him.
Having already worked under the tutelage of Ancelotti, a sense of rapport and understanding may have already been developed, which would be crucial in the playmaker’s adaptation to life on Merseyside if he makes the move.
Ancelotti worked with the 28-year-old during his time at the Bernabeu but was reluctant to comment clearly when asked about any desire to be reunited with the player at Goodison.
Ancelotti smiled noticeably as he claimed: “Isco is a fantastic player and [I have] a fantastic memory of him but now I am not, honestly, focused there. I am focused on an important week we are going to have to recover players and to be well prepared for the game against United.”
Isco is evidently adept at both scoring and setting up goals for teammates; his stats return roughly indicates a direct goal involvement in every three games – but what about James Rodriguez?
Everton’s summer signing has been in fine form; his three goals and three assists in six appearances cannot be downplayed – Rodriguez is crucial in stringing together attacks for Ancelotti’s side. Bringing in Isco would alter the centrality of Rodriguez to the current system, likely leaving one player out in the cold without a change of shape.
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Although the Toffees possess Rodriguez to fulfil the playmaking role, recruiting Isco on an initial loan basis would certainly represent minimal risk with the chance of maximum reward. There is a chance that Rodriguez would play out wide with Isco marauding centrally, offering the potential for a neat partnership which has already been in evidence during their mutual time at Real Madrid.
If both players can be accommodated, Everton should boast a formidable level of offensive prowess.
