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The summer transfer market has been quite interesting for the Los Blancos which included thee prolific signings and two shocking exits.
The most talked about transfer of the season was the £85.3 million deal of Spurs player Gareth Bale who broke the transfer fee record of Cristiano Ronaldo and became the costliest player in the world at the moment. But this news was marred by the sudden decision of selling Mesut Ozil to Arsenal on the deadline day. The Madrid fans have been quite vocal about their disappointment regarding his departure from the Santiago Bernabeu and it was quite clear when some of them chanted his name at the unveiling of Madrid record signing Gareth Bale. The Spanish media also reported unrest within the Real Madrid players with the reports of a Cristiano Ronaldo outrage doing the rounds all over the world when the midfielder was sold to the London club Arsenal for around 42.5 million pounds.
But, it is believed that it was completely an administrative decision to offload the midfielder in a bid of balance the finances. The Ozil transfer was instrumental in recovering half the money spent on Bale and it seems that the move was necessary to ensure balance in the club.
Club legend Zinedine Zidane had some very harsh words towards the Ozil transfer as it pointed towards the fact that the German player was not ready to fight for his place in the Madrid first team and was possibly scored of the clash with Isco. The French legend said, “Now we have added players like Isco and new players such as Jese and Morata increasing competition. There are players who have responded with strength and will to fight.” He also added in an interview given to the Spanish media, “Not everyone reacted the same. Di Maria said he wanted to fight. Ozil, who is a great player and has given a lot to Madrid, decided to leave, and we wish him well. Isco is a spectacular player.”
The crowd unrest is also not baseless as it will be really difficult for the club to replace a player of that calibre. Ozil has contributed as many as 72 assists for his team in the last three years and that has escalated him to the stature of one of the best playmakers in Europe and also the world. The player came from Werder Bremen in the 2010-11season and established himself as the main playmaker of the team. The Ronaldo- Ozil pairing was one of the most prolific duo in the La Liga for some years which saw the Madristas win the title on 2011 under the management of the ‘special one’ Jose Mourinho. The loss of such an influential midfielder is a huge loss for any team and it is also believed among the fans that the German international was undervalued in the deadline day transfer.
The media is still abuzz with the unrest caused by the Ozil transfer, but it seems that Real Madrid has found a new playmaker in 21 year old new recruit Isco. The talented youngster was bought from Spanish club Malaga where he had quite a reputation and he has already scored three goals in the early stages of the Liga BBVA. The Spanish playmaker is in prolific form at the moment and is gradually filling the void left by the Ozil transfer with a total of five goals and assists in all competitions till now.
Standing at 5’9, Isco is not that tall but he makes up for that with his supreme speed and talent of finding superlative through balls in the final third. The Spanish player is quite established in the Spain under 21 team and his talents were quite appreciated during his stay at Malaga. But there are some distinct differences when it comes to the playing styles of Isco and Mesut Ozil. Mesut Ozil has always been a classic playmaker for the Madrid club which showed his command of the midfield and at times, the urge of making diagonal runs into the attacking front. But Isco relies more on his tenacious strength and talent to make small one twos with his teammates, hereby allowing the strikers to make blind runs for his final balls. Isco relies mainly on his on-field speed and passing talent which makes him a threat for any opposing team and he has already created a reputation of being one of the best young midfielders in the world right now.
Isco and Ozil are both quite contrasting type of playmakers, but Real Madrid has decided to make Isco the first choice for the central midfield role which saw Ozil rise to a new level of popularity. The Spanish youngster has answered the calling and has delivered a stellar performance as the backbone of the Madrid midfield. The inclusion of Isco has also made life easy for manager Carlo Ancelotti who opted for the midfielder at the start of the season. The popularity was enough for the Italian to offer him a generous transfer fee of £23million which finalised his departure from Malaga to join the Los Brancos.
Isco has accommodated himself quite well in the Madrid way of playing which emphasises on wing play and delivery of quality final balls. He is occupying the playmaker role of the Arsenal new recruit Mesut Ozil and has showed great progress both in case of his talent and playing style. He has adapted the playing style quite well and is regarded as the leader of the youth revolution taking place at the legendary club. The Spanish youngster possesses the talent and determination to make it big on the grand scale and is already touted to be the next superstar in the Madrid ranks.
The loss of Mesut Ozil is indeed a major blow for both the club and the fans all around the world, but it seems that Isco is ready to take his place and lead his team to glory on both national and international stages.
