Tottenham Hotspur have been heavily linked with the Real Madrid star over the past year or so.
Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane spoke to reporters in the aftermath of his side’s disappointing loss at Valencia last night, and addressed comments made recently by Isco regarding his future at the Bernabeu, as quoted by the Evening Standard.
The 24-year-old moved to the Spanish capital from Malaga in the summer of 2013, for a fee believed to be in the region of £23 million, and despite showing glimpses of his undoubted ability, he has failed to reach the heights that were expected of him.
That has partly been down to the fact that he has never really been given the opportunity of a starting role with Los Blancos, with him being utilised regularly from the substitutes bench.
It comes as no surprise really, when he is competing with the likes of James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale for a starting berth.
Zidane spoke to reporters about Isco’s future, and responded to recent comments made by the Spaniard where he suggested that he may look to leave the 11-time Champions League winners, as quoted by the Evening Standard:
Isco looks dejected
“I think it’s understandable and I have no problem with it. You ask him and he replies to those questions. But I’m sure that he’s fully focused. He’s a very good footballer, I regard him highly and he’s player that is part of… squad rotation. A player could play 25-26 games in a row and then not play. You could ask him and I’m sure he’d say he’s not happy. I want my players to be ready for when that chance arrives. I’m going to keep doing this until the end of the season. I’m not going to change. Isco knows I love him.”
The problem for Madrid is that the Spain international’s contract with the club expires in the summer of 2018, so if he refuses to extend that deal, they will surely have to consider selling him at the end of this season, or risk losing him for nothing the following year.
And if Tottenham really want to mix it with the big boys, they should do everything within their power to bring Isco to White Hart Lane.
Isco in action for Real Madrid
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