Francisco Roman Alcaron Suarez, known affectionately by fans and football pundits as Isco, has spent two-plus seasons at Real Madrid so far, tallying 118 appearances and 17 goals in that time. On Monday, October 26th, though, news broke that Isco requests Real Madrid departure. The request was submitted directly to Real President Fiorentina Perez and has quickly sparked interest from a number of other football clubs throughout Europe. The question is, why does Isco want to leave? And secondarily, where could he go next?
A Change of Scenery
Most reports indicate that Isco wants out at Real Madrid because he wants "a change of scenery" or "wants to pursue new opportunities." There has been nothing to indicate bad blood between the 23-year-old attacking midfielder and Real manager Rafael Benitez, nor with any other players on Real's soccer squad.
If that's the case, though, then why did Isco wait to submit his transfer request until now? This past summer, the transfer market was abuzz with rumors that Chelsea and Manchester City were both ready to fight over Isco. Had the Real Madrid playmaker submitted his request sooner, he might have been able to orchestrate that change of scenery for this fall.
If Isco is fed up with things at Real Madrid, it's certainly not because he's being left on the bench. Up to the day he made his transfer request, he had played 608 minutes and featured in all nine matches of Real Madrid's 2015 2016 campaign. Granted, he didn't score at all in those first nine matches, but everyone at Madrid has been a bit less active offensively this season. Isco tallied four league goals for Real Madrid last season and eight the season before.
Possible Suitors
Regardless of why Isco wants to leave Madrid, it seems he'll get his desired change of scenery-at least if Perez and Benitez are amenable to letting him go. Numerous football clubs are on alert and ready to submit transfer offers at the winter transfer break, and all of the major suitors would transplant the 23-year-old star to England.
So far, Isco has spent his entire senior football career in Spain. He played his first La Liga match for Valencia in November 2010, after years coming up through the club's youth program and B team. He then transferred to Malaga, where he spent three seasons before moving to Real Madrid in 2013 2014. He signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid and was the first signing of newly appointed manager, Carlo Ancelotti.
With Ancelotti being tipped as a potential replacement for Chelsea's Jose Mourinho-should Mourinho be sacked, that is-it would be poetic for Isco to make a move to Stamford Bridge during the winter transfer window. Who knows, he could once again be Ancelotti's first signing at a new football club.
Even if Ancelotti doesn't take over at Chelsea, though, the club would still be one of the likely competitors for Isco's signature. Also on that list is Arsenal, where manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly already given his board an order to put together a transfer offer that could be extended to Isco and Real Madrid come winter. Liverpool could also use an attacking midfielder of Isco's stature, and reports have circulated that new manager Jurgen Klopp is interested in pursuing a signing as well.
Where do you think Isco will end up? Will he help Liverpool rebuild, after making a poor offensive showing during the first chapter of the 2015 2016 Premier League? Will he help energize Chelsea and save the soccer club from their current dismal state? Could he make Arsenal even stronger than they are, and perhaps propel the team to a Premier League victory? Or will his transfer request be denied, keeping him in Real Madrid until the summer or beyond?
Pick up a Real Madrid shirt 2015 2016 from Soccer Box and then find us on social media to share your thoughts on Isco's future! Soccer Box is active daily on multiple social channels including Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
