It seems every big club in Europe is trying to get a piece of Isco from Malaga, and Chelsea, with the arrival of Jose Mourinho to boost their attractiveness to potential signings, are no different. They’re also looking at other players who starred in the Spanish La Liga last season, like Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid.
Isco, who will play for the Spanish team in the U-21 Euro in Israel this summer, might be the highest rated youngster in European football after performing quite well with Malaga in their historic Champions League campaign, reaching the quarterfinals.
Playing as an attacking midfielder but with the ability to operate on both wings, Isco has 11 goals and 6 assists so far this season, which surprisingly is still far from over in Spain. He and Malaga can’t finish in the top 4 after pretty much reaching the final stage of the season on empty batteries, and the club’s European spot next season is secured. Their financial future? Not so much.
Selling Isco, who is going to cost somewhere around €30 million, might help the team make it through another season, and build a decent enough squad to try and remain competitive in the top half of the table last season. For Chelsea, Isco might sit on a spot that is already loaded with players, but some theories suggest that you can never have too many talented players, and they can be moved around or rotated. Both Real Madrid and Manchester City are reported to be very close to acquiring the Spanish star as well.
However, the competition for Arda Turan, the 26 year old left winger who played a big part in the very successful season Atletico Madrid had (finishing third, winning the Copa Del Rey) 4 goals and 8 assists so far, and while Chelsea haven’t played with wingers this season except for when Victor Moses was on the pitch, Jose Mourinho usually uses wide attackers in his tactics. Galatasaray are trying to bring back the player they sold for €15.5 million two years ago, but Chelsea will have the upper hand in that battle if they focus on signing Turan and not finish their business of signing creative players before they grab him.