Rafael Benitez has promised Isco a key role in the squad to clear the doubts in the Spaniarda s mind about his Real Madrid future.
Rafael Benitez, who has replaced Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, has made an assuring phone call to Isco . and promised that he will be a key part of the cluba s plans next season. According to Goal.com, the former Liverpool manager has convinced the Spanish midfielder to remain at the club and erased all doubts the 22-year old had about his role in the team.
Isco joined Real Madrid from Malaga in 2013 for a reported fee of a 30 million. However, the midfielder failed to seal a first-team place under Carlo Ancelotti despite various impressive performances. As a result the midfielder ended up being disappointed with his role and speculations about his future surfaced.
The former Malaga man, who was close to reuniting with Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City before joining Real Madrid, made 53 appearances for the club but most of them came either from the bench or as a replacement to players who were nursing injuries. But recent reports suggest that the Spaniard will figure as a regular starter under new manager Rafael Benitez.
Isco is an attacking player whose position in the starting 11 came under threat when James Rodriguez signed from AS Monaco last season. The Colombian became a vital cog in the Real Madrid attack and after an impressive debut campaign, it is highly unlikely that Rodriguez will be relegated to the bench for Isco.
If Rafael Benitez plans on giving Isco a first team role, it is a given that the Spaniard will play in the midfield alongside Kroos and Modric in a 4-3-3 or directly behind the striker in a number 10 role if Benitez chooses to field a 4-2-3-1 formation. In both cases, one man is highly likely to lose his place in the starting 11 a and that man happens to be Karim Benzema.
The Frenchman had a so-so season last time around and is one of the players who could be sacrificed from the Real Madrid starting 11. If Rafael Benitez plans to make Isco a regular starter under his management, he will have to sacrifice Benzema by benching him and relocate Ronaldo to the number 9 position. It will be interesting to see whether Ronaldo or Benzema will be happy with Beniteza s plans.