Why Isco isn't the next Canales

Isco has become a vital part of Madrid's transitions in recent weeks.

When Isco signed for Real Madrid last summer, worrying comparisons were made with Sergio Canales’ failed transfer to the Bernabéu. In July 2010, Canales, only 18, signed for Madrid after becoming one of Spain’s hottest prospects, bursting onto the scene with a number of eye-catching performances for his struggling boyhood side Racing. Twelve months later his career was all but ruined, after an injury-hit season in which he had found opportunities limited.

Of course, this is not strictly true. Canales was only 19 when he left the capital to join Valencia on loan (later he would join permanently) and still had the rest of his career ahead of him. Even so, there were questions as to whether the youngster would ever fulfil his potential after that year wasted at Madrid. Fortunately he is now at Real Sociedad, where he seems to be back to his best.

It is easy to see why parallels were drawn with Isco’s signing. Like Canales, Isco had stood out as a big fish in a small pond at his previous club Malaga. He was instrumental in his team’s improbable run to the Champions League quarter-finals, and was brilliant for Spain’s Under-21 side, as they swept all before them at that summer’s European Championships. Florentino Perez jumped at the chance to sign the midfielder, and he was soon presented as a Real Madrid player. He was given the number 23, the same as David Beckham during his time at the club, perhaps an indication of how highly Perez rated him. Certainly the Real Madrid president had high hopes for the fledgling Spaniard. No pressure then.

But for a while it looked as if Isco would be frozen out of the starting eleven, just like Canales. After a bright start, scoring on his debut against Betis, he seemed to fade and fall behind in the pecking order. His defensive contribution was heavily scrutinised, and Ancelotti’s switch to a 4-3-3 formation which didn’t favour Isco’s creative talents seemed to be the final straw. It wasn’t long before Isco was cruelly being labelled the ‘next Canales’.

Not so on Wednesday night against Barcelona. Some eyebrows were raised when the youngster was named in the starting lineup, with some arguing Isco wouldn’t offer Xabi Alonso enough protection. But despite these worries, Isco put in one of his best performances in a Real Madrid shirt, hassling Barça’s players relentlessly and putting in a huge defensive effort. Xabi Alonso, in contrast, was largely anonymous. As Marca pointed out, no other player made as many ball recoveries as Isco (12), despite the likes of Busquets and Modrić being on the field. It is an impressive stat, especially for a player who earlier this season was heavily criticised for his lack of defending. His superb off-the-ball work was demonstrated in the first goal, in which he dispossessed Dani Alves to start the move which culminated in Di Maria’s finish.

It was a sign of how Isco has become a crucial part of Madrid’s transitions in recent weeks, and has finally settled at the Bernabéu. He has adapted to a new role since falling out of favour, demonstrated in recent games against Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League tie, and against Almería on Saturday. 

It was fitting that Isco’s coming-of-age should come at Mestella, where he began his career with Valencia. Forget Canales; if Isco keeps performing like this, he could swiftly become a vital player in Ancelotti’s lineup.

By Tomás Hill López-Menchero

How far can Atlético Madrid go this season?

Simeone has moulded the team in his image.

Atlético Madrid have been one of the best sides in Europe this season. Diego Simeone has employed a ruthless high-pressure game which has made spectators sit up around Europe, and this week they set up a Copa del Rey semi-final clash with none other than Real Madrid. Today they leapfrogged Barcelona to top the table for the first time in 18 years, and with a last 16 clash against Milan also awaiting them in the Champions League, there is a genuine sense among Colchoneros that this could be Atleti's year.

It wasn't meant to be this way. After all, this was the summer that Real Madrid and Barcelona dealt out huge amounts of money to secure the services of Gareth Bale and Neymar, two of the brightest attacking talents in world football. Atlético, meanwhile, sold one of their best players in Radamel Falcao. Even with the impressive capture of David Villa from Barcelona, would they really be a match for Spain's top two?

Six months on, the question now is not whether Atlético can keep up with Barcelona and Real Madrid, but just how far they can go this season. 

It is clear that Simeone is intent on success in all competitions, however, this could ultimately undermine his side. Questions have been raised over Atlético Madrid's squad depth, and Simeone refuses to rest key players in the Copa del Rey. For Real Madrid and Barcelona, Atlético's progress in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League could be a blessing in disguise. The further Atlético Madrid advance, the more tired players will become due to the pressing game that Simeone chooses to adopt. Injuries are also starting to become a problem, with Filipe Luis recently being ruled out for up to 6 weeks.

Simeone wants success on all three fronts.

A situation could arise similar to that of Marcelo Bielsa's Athletic Bilbao side a few years ago, who reached two finals in 2012, only to crumble and lose them both. The reason was simple: El Loco's tactics had run his side into the ground, and in the final weeks of the season Athletic had just run out of steam. 

But Atlético have a better squad than most people realise. The likes of Aranzubia, Insua, Cristian Rodriguez, Alderweireld and Jose Sosa have plenty of experience, while promising players such as Manquillo can step up when called upon. The signing of Diego, on loan again at the Vicente Calderon, is already proving to be inspired, as demonstrated with his excellent performance in the 4-0 mauling of Real Sociedad tonight, capped with a goal. The Brazilian can be much more than a replacement for the injured Arda Turan, and may well go on to be a fixture in Simeone's first-choice eleven. 

Yet even if Atleti do make it to the later stages of the Champions League, it will be impossible to hold on to all of their star players in the summer due to their precarious financial situation. The sale of strikers, in particular, has set a horrible precedent for fans, who have seen the likes of Fernando Torres, Diego Forlán, Sergio Agüero, and of course Radamel Falcao leave the club in recent years. There is already talk of Diego Costa moving to Chelsea, and the recently nationalised Spaniard won't be the only one to attract attention from other clubs. Arda Turan's transformation into one of Europe's best attacking midfielders won't have gone unnoticed, and the extremely promising Koke is also a player on many European clubs' wishlists. Mourinho will want Thibaut Courtois to stay at Stamford Bridge next season rather than go out on loan again, and the departure of the big Belgian could be a huge blow for the Rojiblancos.

Last year's big departure was star striker Radamel Falcao, but Atleti have done even better without him.

Whatever the financial situation at the club, we should enjoy this Atlético Madrid side while we still can. There is every chance that Simeone's side could make it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and, who knows, maybe even beyond. Likewise, don't rule out Atleti securing top spot in La Liga just yet. 

By Tomás Hill López-Menchero

This article first appeared on Vavel.