Reported Everton target Isco endured a miserable Sunday with Real Madrid legend Predrag Mijatovic leading the complaints after a shocking 4-1 defeat to Valencia, speaking to Carrusel Deportivo.
Crisis is never far away at the Mestalla or the Santiago Bernabau and, ahead of last night’s intriguing La Liga clash, two of Spain’s biggest sides were under the microscope.
But while Real haven’t set the world alight in 2020/21, suffering recent shock defeats to Cadiz and Shakhtar Donetsk, no-one forecast Zinedine Zidane’s side would be swept away in such brutal fashion by a previously dreadful Valencia team.
Thanks to a trio of Carlos Soler penalties and a Raphael Varane own goal, former Watford boss Javi Gracia was celebrating a shock 4-1 win against the 13-time European champions.
And while Isco wasn’t the biggest problem for a Madrid team whose slack defence was exposed yet again, another anonymous performance didn’t do the playmaker’s sliding reputation much good either.
As Managing Madrid wrote in its post-match player ratings: “Did (Isco) even play? Apparently he did, for 82 mins.”
“The players have to correct the coaches,” says Mijatovic, who believes Zidane’s tactics are to blame for failing to get the best out of Isco.
“If you don’t put me in a position where I can contribute something positive to my team, I’d rather you play a teammate (instead).
“The players know what physical condition they are in and what they can give in each position. Isco may not have been very sincere with himself, but in these conditions you have to tell the coach: ‘I want to play, but in this position I do not contribute anything’.”
Isco certainly didn’t “contribute anything” during 82 forgettable minutes at the Mestalla.
However, after rejuvenating James Rodriguez’s career at Goodison Park, Everton should be confident of doing the same with the now £18 million-rated Isco (Mirror).
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