Isco released by Sevilla, linked with Premier League move
Spanish midfielder Isco has been released by Sevilla FC - could he be on his way to the Premier League?
For a few seconds, Isco swished through the space in front of him like a dancing dolphin. If the ocean is a place of peril and fear for most mammals, for those born in it, life must feel like utter freedom. Living in the biggest, most expansive space through which to explore, spinning around in zero gravity, traversing both inside and throughout an endless 3D realm must be the ultimate experience of space. Isco looks as though he experienced the same feeling as a bottlenose dophin as it swirls through the blue water, knowing that no limits to what it can do exists, despite the danger around every corner.
Isco took the ball is his flipper, caressing it like a perfect pearl, before taking it on a ride through the currents, sliding one way then the other, dodging the attempts of the outstretched tentacles of other creatures as they tried to steal it. The Molinón pitch, Spain’s oldest and one of the most intimidating, screamed as it aimed to force Isco off the ball, and their Gijón players towards it.
No chance. The Malagueño skipped inside the box from the right before dipping past two challenges, one with a sublime rabona touch, before throwing the pearl into the far corner of the goal, up high where the goalkeeper couldn’t reach. He set Real Madrid on the path for a crucial 0-2 away victory in their 2016-17 League and Champions League double-winning season. He scored the other goal, too.
But that was back in 2017, in another world, where Francisco Alarcón ‘Isco’ was one of Spain’s most coveted players. Real Madrid tied him to their ship’s mast after Málaga let him go in 2013, after beating Stephan El Shaaraway and Thibaut Courtois to the Golden Boy award. It looked like a no-brainer.
Today, Isco has been released by Sevilla FC and is now a free agent. A statement by the club read:
Sevilla FC have reached an agreement with Isco Alarcón to terminate his contract. The midfielder joined the club last summer on a free after his spell at Real Madrid.
Isco made 19 appearances for Sevilla FC, with 12 in LaLiga Santander, six in the UEFA Champions League and one in the Copa del Rey. His solitary goal came against FC Copenhagen, while he also added three assists
The club would like to wish Isco the very best of luck for the future.
Isco arrived at Sevilla just four months ago, from Real Madrid, where he played for almost 10 years, making over 200 appearances. HIs best performances in recent times came with the shirt of Los Blancos, in which the midfielder, as explained, played a key role in Madrid’s 2016-17 title win under then-manager, Zinedine Zidane.
Since then, the Málaga-born player struggled to consistently get minutes at the Santiago Bernabéu and a move to Sevilla followed in August 2022, to play under ex-Spain manager Julen Lopetegui, with whom Isco has a positive relationship. After Lopetegui left Sevilla in just two months later, Argentinian coach Jorge Sampaoli arrived, but his high-intensity style did not suit Isco, who found form difficult to find.
What did the manager say about Isco leaving?
Estadio Deportivo reported that Isco “disconnected [from the team], and a tense discussion was had with Sporting Dirrector Monchi, decided that Isco’s time at Sevilla would come to and end.” Manager Jorge Sampaoli said “Isco is a great lad and I wish him the best. A great player is leaving, but he didn’t reach the expectations of the club.”
Where will Isco go next? The Premier League?
Isco has been linked with moves across the Mediterranean, to teams such as AC Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina, and Roma. But one link that has outlasted them all and continues to persist is that of a move to English side, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolverhampton does not have many similarities to Seville, but the fact that Julen Lopetegui currently manages the side is appearing to be the determining factor in why Isco might be open to the switch. His contract termination has made things easier for the Premier League side, who are reportedly exploring the possibility to sign the player.