Can Isco Now be Regarded as World Class?

Is this now the age of Isco?

Has this talented Spaniard who has flirted with being a superstar or even a world class player, finally crossed that threshold where we can put him in that elite category?

Maybe, but not yet.












Without a doubt, Isco is playing at a very high level. He is putting Bale on the bench, and rightfully so, with his exemplary performances for Real Madrid.

I have always believed in a meritocracy and hate when the "bigger" name gets put ahead of a better performing player just because. It should always be about what you've done for me lately, and how well you balled in the last game. And your boy Isco has done that far more regularly recently than the Welsh Beast Mode.

Now though, Isco has now elevated his name by taking this form onto the international stage.

His performance for Spain against Italy was out of this world. It's one of those performances where you can watch again and again, picking it all the little pieces of class you missed the first time.

How we he completely dragged De Rossi and Verratti all over the pitch. His precisive ball-control. How he gracefuly glided across the pitch, taking up all positions and being the orchestrator to the Spanish piece that was being played.





And it's the kind of display that takes a player from one category to another over night.

However, as good as Isco has been, it would be an insult to other elite players if we were to simply dub him as world class and leave it at that.

You see, a world class player is one who can put up big time performances on a consistent basis across a whole season. Their form rarely dips and they maintain a very high level which is why they are regarded in such lofty terms.

All I am looking for from Isco is this kind of performance level over an entire season. I want to see him take over games and be the man in every match he plays for either Madrid or Spain.

He has tended to sometimes disappear and allow the game to pass him by. That of course is natural, and you can't expect any player to be exceptional in every game. But he has yet to have that truly great season.

In his defence, he's had to play second fiddle to the marquee name of Gareth Bale and has only suddenly broken into a very talented Spanish side that is tough for any player to penetrate.

The chips are now all falling into place for Isco. Zidane is entrusting him in his starting eleven and that performance against Italy will etch his name deep into Lopetegui's thinking for next summer's World Cup.

Now, it's time for him to deliver. He has to forget that scintilatting display at the Bernabeu and put all his focus on having a great season and inspiring Madrid to more silverwear. And the only way to do that is by demanding the ball, making it clear to all his teammates that he is the one that deserves to have the rock.

Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez ....over to you.

HH

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