Madrid on Merseyside?! What Isco could provide Everton

It was difficult for some to believe during the summer window that the big names of Europe would be interested in the Blue half of Merseyside; that James Rodriguez and Allan came, along with others, is a testament to the allure of the old club, as well as that of their old legendary manager. But a Spain international and key Real Madrid player like Isco would be an absolute coup for the Royal Blue outfit; surely, it is not to be believed?

And yet, it does exist as a rumor, with the talent out of favor with boss Zinedine Zidane, it could be possible that he follows his “good friend’ James Rodriguez to the north of England; regardless of the slickness with which Carlo Ancelotti plays the whole things off with, we know it is a possibility if nothing else. The implications of such a move would be massive for both clubs, as well as the players at both clubs and the leagues all accordingly. Might we expect a move to occur either in the winter or summer?

Why Not?

One can find equal ease in refuting and accepting the reports and the potential to be sure. Everton can’t possibly transfer for every player that comes across the rumor mill, no matter how many articles I write to that effect. Yet Isco, still only 28-years-old and a former player under Ancelotti during his spell at Madrid, has qualities and versatility that may be unattainable anywhere for Don Carlo and Everton.

Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Few will have the wealth of experience in big matches, in big moments and with big consequences as Isco possesses. Few will be able to fit in so well into their new team, as his friend James Rodriguez is already living proof of; this on the part of the Boss, was genius, for he has shown players that he can fit them in quickly to a team with great young talent and potential, creating obvious opportunity for fun, successful football.

One question worth asking certainly relates to where he might fit in with the current roster and his style and history of play. In the 4-3-3 one can see him playing on the left where Gylfi Sigurdsson has played at times, with some success, this season; he could also spell Richarlison during those times where he needs rest or is in the central position in place of DCL. In the 4-3-2-1 that was seen early in the Newcastle affair meanwhile, he would likely serve as one of the two behind Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison, although I’m not sure how frequently we’d see that shape with another dependable winger on the squad; Hirving Lozano and Thomas Lemar surely are enticing right now for Don Carlo, Marcel Brands and Big Dunc.

For Isco, as it was for James Rodriguez, the spirit of the boss, of the club and of the practical footballing approach must be attractive after spells where the talent and ability of the player was not appreciated and embraced properly. At Everton, “the Professor” as Allan calls him, provides a fatherly impact to his younger and older players, reinforcing their positive habits and abilities while working out and around their inequities. This style is again, particularly attractive alongside the brand of football he implements, with these incentives, and Madrid’s own incentive to clear wages, he could very well escape to the Premier League as well; this innovation would be massive for both clubs in differing ways, and likely more for the Toffees from the practical standpoint.

Earth Shaking: Isco to Everton would be seismic

Everton would have to embrace a solid rotation with selflessness a keynote of the squad, but it would also be a dangerous squad for that. A team with DCL, Richarlison, James, Isco, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure all bearing down on their opposition when the pressure is dialed up highest is likely to cause even the best clubs in England and Europe fits. The consistency that we need is likely to be found in players like Isco, and with his pedigree of success and determination, therefore, getting him is in a similar vein to getting players like James Rodriguez and Allan; they have played in big matches in different nations and understand how to remain poised under that pressure.

Photo by Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images

While a win against Manchester United on Saturday will keep Everton in the top four likely, it has been proven that if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. With this understood, names like Lozano, Lemar, Milik and Isco are going to continue to appear in relation to Everton. Which we will get, if any, will depend on how good our current players can perform and so a victory should be considered further incentive to spend the money to get Isco to Merseyside.

People have been skeptical the entirety of the Ancelotti administration so far and so when innovation has occurred, they have appeared stunned. Perhaps to this end, we should not be so incredulous about the transfer rumors for the Toffees these days. Change always occurs before we recognize it occurring, and so catches us by surprise when it becomes too obvious to ignore any further; recognize in this instance that perhaps Everton are changing as well, and this new dawn may be a better day than we’ve seen in some time on Merseyside.