Isco Alarcon: 5 possible destinations for the Real Madrid superstar

It seemed like Isco Alarcon would be on his way to the top with Julen Lopetegui managing the Los Blancos. The former La Roja coach had set up the national team around Isco and was trying to implement the same at Madrid. However, Lopetegui's stint at Real Madrid was a short one with Isco also missing the last few games under the old coach.

Real Madrid is now convinced that former youth team coach Santiago Solari would be the ideal person to lead the Los Blancos. With the appointment of the new coach comes Isco's possible dip in form, and it might not even be his fault. Isco has failed to get any starts under Solari, even in the Copa Del Rey match. He played 34 minutes against Valladolid and only 17 against Plzen. He played amazingly in the 3-0 loss against Eibar from the moment he came in but still failed to impress Solari. He was agonizingly left out of the starting 11 and even the bench against Roma.

With the amount of talent he has, he deserves to play every single minute of the 90. Under Solari, it doesn't seem that Isco is going to be getting minutes anytime soon. The reason is unknown but while Solari is trusting an out of form Bale, Modric and youth players like Sergio Reguilon, Marco Llorente and Federico Valverde, he is not putting his faith on Isco.

There are a lot of teams which are aware of Isco's present situation and for a young player like him, first-team minutes matter a lot. Even if Isco is willing to prove himself, if he is not in Solari's plans then Real Madrid would try to capitalize on the player. Real Madrid has let go of star players previously provided that they get the right amount.

We look at five possible destinations where the attacking midfielder could end up at. ( ranked from lower to higher in terms of possibility)

#5 FC Barcelona

Could Isco be on Madrid's wrong side during Clasicos?

Prior to joining the Los Blancos, Isco was a Barcelona fan. He had also said that he is a bit of an anti-Madridista. Well, years later, Isco finds himself in a Madrid shirt and he has also got a bit of the spotlight. Isco's style could be suitable for Barcelona. With Iniesta's departure, Barcelona needs a player to add depth at the midfield area.

While Isco to Barcelona looks a great deal on paper, it might not benefit either one of the two parties clearly. First, Isco's only reason for leaving Madrid might be failing to find first-team minutes. There is no assurance that he would start at Barcelona either. Barcelona's wings have Ousmane Dembele and Malcolm knocking at the doors. They have Coutinho, Rakitic and Vidal to support Busquets on the side. With Arthur impressing, there are no signs of him being benched anytime soon.

Barcelona also has other areas to focus on. They would rather use the funds for increasing depth at left back and center back. The only reason that Barcelona makes the list is that Isco is an ideal fit at the team and due to his boyhood love for the club.

Probability: Highly unlikely

Pros: Both player and club suit each other

Cons: Isco might not find first-team minutes as the club has enough depth at midfield

#4 Liverpool

From the moment Phillipe Coutinho left for Barcelona, a void has been left at Liverpool's attacking midfield zone. Jurgen Klopp signed Naby Keita to strengthen his midfield but he is more of a box of box midfielder, a workhorse who doesn't mind doing the rough tackling job.

What Liverpool lacks is a creative midfielder who could run at defenses and pick the right pass. Or cut inside near the box and shape the perfect shot. At times their attackers seem devoid of ideas. Milner and Henderson are both aging players. The lack of pace and creativity brings the downfall of Liverpool at times. On their day, Milner and Henderson could drop a masterclass as they did against PSG. But on another day, the lack of a midfielder who brings attacking prowess ends up as Liverpool's Achilles heel.

Isco could be the answer to Liverpool's current problems. We found out that Klopp is not reluctant to splash cash where necessary. Isco is the ideal Coutinho replacement. A young creative player who could create and score likewise. He would also be able to get first-team minutes. But at the moment, there are no signs of Liverpool looking to sign a new player.

It could change though. Barcelona signed Arturo Vidal with none of the sources claiming a possibility of a transfer.

Possibility: Unlikely at the moment

Pros: First team minutes for the player and a creative midfielder for the club

Cons: The player might have to adjust to a different role ie: Central midfield, Second Striker

#3 Chelsea

Chelsea acquired the services of Maurizio Sarri in the summer. Sarri brought his pivotal midfielder Jorginho with him in the summer. Although Jorginho is a great player in the defensive midfield role, the role of Kante raises questions. Kante has not been impressive in his current role which sees him attack more.

Chelsea has Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic as their central defenders but they haven't been impressive as such this season. If Chelsea looks to employ a double pivot then their attacking prowess decreases due to the inexperience of Kovavic. In their two previous league games, Jorginho was completely smothered, decreasing his distribution and passing accuracy. Thus there is a need for Kante to be alongside him at times or at least operate in the half-space with a more defensive role.

For that to materialize, Sarri needs a midfielder who could make up for the lack of attacking options other than the front three. Isco could prove good for that role. A free-role wandering in between the center and the halfspaces, always keeping an eye for the forward runs, provide the penetration. Moreover, Isco could also increase the depth at the wings in games where Sarri needs to rotate.

Possibility: Likely

Pros: Addition of an attacking flair that is lacking in the middle of the pitch. This gives Kante a license to operate in his ball recovery and distribution than having to wander forward.

Cons: Benching of Barkley and Kovacic who are still young and could adapt to their role.

#2 Juventus

Almost all the Madrid players are being linked to Juventus ever since Ronaldo joined them. Marcelo, Ramos, Modric, almost all the star players. Isco is the latest to be on the list of rumors.

Unlike Ramos and Modric who are players with a profile that Juventus has got in their arsenal, Isco is an option with a greater stature than the midfielders that they have. Isco could be the person in the midfield who brings the lethal partnership with Ronaldo, that no midfielder currently has.

Isco is not a great fit for Max Allegri's style of play. Allegri's Juventus are not keeping much hold of the ball but they try to hit effectively on the counter and create a number of opportunities. Isco's strength comes on the ball and not off it. Having to assume a central midfielder's role could not be the best thing for Isco.

With that being said, perhaps Juventus could change their style a bit in order to fit Isco. Juventus could create more straight-forwards chances rather than hitting on counter or crossing. Isco would earn first team minutes in his favorite zone only if Allegri is planning to meddle with his current formula. Otherwise, he has to play a different role out in the wider midfield area.

Possibility: Highly likely according to rumors in Spain

Pros: More straight-forward scoring opportunities can be created if the player is playing in his favorite position.

Cons: A need of changing the team balance if the player's potential has to be realized. The player will be off his strong zone if the coach keeps his style of play. (More likely)

#1 Manchester City

The team who has got no fear in splashing cash provided that the coach thinks that the player will fit. The current rumors in Spain have put the tug of war for Isco, between City and Juventus, which ends up as an upper hand for the Citizens when it comes to paying astronomical figures.

Manchester City's style of play under Pep Guardiola will benefit Isco a lot. He could assume a role in his strong zone than having to adapt to a different one, which is likely if he plays under Allegri. There is no need to change the balance of the team as well.

If Kevin De Bruyne and Isco play in tandem in the midfield, it spells danger for the opposition of all sorts. With a genius like Guardiola in charge, we can only think of what he can do with Isco at his possession. Better still, Isco could be the long-term replacement for David Silva who is on the wrong side of the thirties.

Guardiola likes a player in every attacking area viz. the right and left wings, the right and left half-spaces and the central zone. Isco could operate in either of the half-spaces and left wing. It gives the coach a better freedom to rotate his team even when De Bruyne returns. This is the best possible option if the star man wants to leave.

Possibility: Highly likely according to rumors in Spain

Pros: More squad depth. The player is a perfect fit at the club. Could help in keeping players fresh during exhaustive schedules.

Cons: No specific weaknesses appear with Isco joining Manchester City.