Wonderkid #5 - Isco

Hello and welcome to my latest blog post, where I have the fifth installment of my Wonderkid series - looking at young starlets with potential to be special in the future.

Today, I am looking at Real Madrid creative midfielder Isco, who burst onto the scene after some impressive performances for Liga BBVA side Malaga in the Champions League in 2012 and 2013. 

Spanish starlet: Isco is highly-regarded as one of the world's most talented young players.

Midfield gem: Isco has impressed the world with his abilities both on the ball and without it.

As a result of his consistent performances in both the Champions League and Liga BBVA, Real Madrid activated his buyout clause of around £32million pounds in the summer of 2013 to bolster their midfield and add to their attacking options as they looked to secure more trophies in the upcoming season. 

World at his feet: Isco impressed many at Malaga, especially in the Champions League.

Influence: Isco scored 17 goals for Malaga between 2011 and 2013, many teams were interested

Expectation: Isco eventually joined Real Madrid, for around £30million pounds in the summer

The talented 21-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder began his Real Madrid career with 4 goals in 5 appearances, with most EPL supporters disappointed that he did not join the Premier League in the hope that they would be able to witness his close-control dribbling, good passing (which converts into lots of assists), great vision to seek out team-mates under pressure and superb passing and movement every week for a top club. 

Golden Boy: Isco won the Golden Boy award in 2012 while at Malaga.

There were fears at the beginning when he originally arrived at Real that he would be on the bench for the majority of the time in big games, which would mean supporters would be unable to see his skills and good performances when it really matters - especially because people felt Malaga would help him develop into a confident world-class player if he had stayed slightly longer. 

He has impressed so much so that he has also made 66 appearances at International level for Spain, including 2 at senior level. 

Isco was in the team of the tournament and ended as third top scorer for the U21's in 2013.

Isco was in a pivotal role as he helped the Spain-U21 win the Championships last year

Dribbler: Isco is silky and skillful with the ball at his feet, one of his many abilities.

His stats this season:

2013-14 - He has scored 8 goals and made 6 assists in 31 appearances for Real Madrid, with Ozil's departure to Arsenal in the summer making way for him to have the opportunity to impress and break into the first-team effectively.

Even though his stats do not make him look like a world-class player, he has been unlucky with the current playing time that he has been given - making substitute appearances and cameo performances whenever possible in a strong Real Madrid side with lots of competition for first-team positions. If he gets his chance though, he will take it.