Real Madrid’s ridiculous abundance of attacking talent can often provide issues, shown by Gareth Bale’s comments after the Champions League final triumph against Liverpool where he hinted at a summer exit.
With the Wales international scoring a brace, it’s highly unlikely that Florentino Perez will even consider a sale unless it’s in the same sort of bracket as Neymar’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
However, there could still be a changing of the guard in the Spanish capital this summer as Cristiano Ronaldo also suggested a switch could be on the cards, while Los Blancos have also been heavily linked with a move for a top-class striker to succeed Karim Benzema.
Amidst all the changes that could be on the cards, it presents a chance for other members of the squad to step-up and Spain international Isco, having pushed his way ahead of Bale in the pecking order this season, now has his time to shine.
The 26-year-old has spent five years in Madrid since signing from Malaga in 2018 but has often struggled to find consistent opportunities in the first-team, while he’s also had to work hard to become a regular for Spain.
Boasting 26 international caps and ten goals heading into the World Cup in Russia, Isco has the chance to establish himself as a leading player for his nation as the 2010 champions look braced for an overhaul after the international tournament.
Isco’s World Cup preparations begin this weekend with a testing clash against Switzerland, for which they are strong favourites in the World Cup betting markets, before tackling Tunisia in another friendly. When the action kicks-off in Russia, Spain face a testing group alongside Portugal, Iran and Morocco.
The first World Cup clash against Portugal will present Isco with the chance to go head-to-head with Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and a starring performance there could signal the changing of the guard.
Isco faces an almost impossible challenge establishing himself as a regular star for club and country, particularly with Real Madrid consistently linked with exciting attacking additions, but at 26 he’s entering the prime years of his career.
After a decent season with Real Madrid, where he started 31 times in LaLiga and the Champions League combined, the World Cup has arrived at the perfect time for Isco to make a statement of intent to the senior officials at Real Madrid.
With uncertainty surrounding the futures of Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo, Isco could well become the figure to build a new Real Madrid attack around, alongside compatriot Marco Asensio, and Los Blancos could follow Barcelona in providing the shell of Spain’s successes in the years ahead.