isco position is the biggest dilemma in Madrid says ancelotti

Isco is youthful enough that perhaps his best position has not yet been identified. A false nine role has been mentioned in the past to find a slot for the midfielder, but Ancelotti has other ideas: "He could play in place of Kroos or Modric. More than a false nine he can play further back," the Italian answered when quizzed for the thousandth time last month on Isco's role in the side.

Rotation is a policy that Ancelotti has embraced at Real Madrid and Isco's versatility and defensive enthusiasm could result in a more a central role in time -- something he has plenty of. Del Bosque made reference to "football-art" after the Belarus
 game, and Isco is the epitome of that concept.


Real Madrid are no soft critics when it comes to accepting they have bought a dud, even if the players in question go on to greater things elsewhere. In Isco, they have a master-in-the-making. Transfer rumours circle the Bernabeu inexorably; a few are based in some sphere of reality while others, notably those involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale, are spurious to say the least.

What seems certain is that with January approaching Europe's top clubs will test Real's resolve over Isco.

Ancelotti has often spoken of balance on the field, and he is clearly trying to provide as much as he can in terms of selection as well where Isco is concerned. After the Belarus match the midfielder said he intends to play "every minute as though it were the last" for club and country. "For me every game and every minute I play is an opportunity. I'm only 22 and hopefully there is a lot more football to come, both for Madrid and Spain."