'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
David Silva, in all probability, has numbered days left at Manchester City. Despite still renowned as one of the best midfielders in Europe, Silva is already 33 years old and will not get any younger. It is also understandable that the playmaker will be more likely to leave Etihad as he did not sign any new contract recently while his current one is set to expire by 2020.
No one could argue of what Silva contributes to City so far. Following numerous managerial changes, he is still there at the Etihad and regularly has been a vital part for the Citizens to win many major titles.
It will be a daunting task for Manchester City to replace such an important figure like Silva. Luckily, a recent report states that City is targeting €75 million-rated Isco to become Silva's heir. Now we will analyze why the Real Madrid playmaker could meet the expectations to become City's next Silva.
Goalscoring abilities
Silva is known to have an eye for goals apart from his renowned playmaking abilities. This season, he already netted 6 times in the Premier League and 3 in the Champions League. Isco, while having significantly less game time this season, is also known for having an eye for goal.
At his peak sharpness at Real Madrid, Isco could score 10 goals in La Liga 2016/17 season with just 18 starts. The ex Malaga player is also excellent in terms of scoring from a distance. This ability will be a considerable advantage for City, knowing that most of Pep Guardiola's opposition is likely to defend deep.
Link-up play
As one of the best midfielders in Europe, Silva's playmaking ability is unquestionable. This season the midfielder could nod 5 assists combined in both Champions League (1) and the EPL (4) while maintaining excellent passing accuracy (87.7 percent) in each game. Fortunately, Isco also has the potential to do that.
This season, Isco is playing 1024 fewer minutes in than Silva and he already capable of making half of Silva's Premier League assists in La Liga. Isco's passing accuracy in all competitions (88.7 percent) was even an inch better than Silva this season.
Weaknesses
Isco's most significant flaw was perhaps his consistency. In his six season tenure in Real Madrid, he has started less than 30 times while benched more than 10 times a season on an average in LaLiga. Last season, Isco barely got to play full 90-minute matches under Zinedine Zidane and his up and downs in performance were the most likely cause.
Conclusion
Isco shares many similarities with Silva in terms of playing abilities. Perhaps, It will be very hard for City to find any other player who could best Isco in mimicking Silva's skillset.
Isco is currently becoming Real Madrid's outcast and moving to City would be his best choice to find game time, considering Silva's situation. If Pep could just restore Isco's confidence by encouraging more game time for the Spanish talent, Isco's massive price-tag could be easily justified.
