Isco wins breakthrough award

Malaga starlet Isco – hailed as the next Cesc Fabregas – has bagged himself the professional’s breakthrough award in this year’s Spanish Liga de Futbol ceremony.

The youngster is another fine specimen of the Spanish youth system, the latest product of the Valencia academy that has also produced 19-year-old striker Paco Alcacer in this new generation of Spanish talent.

With the Spanish transfer market falling through the floor, Isco is tipped to be the next Malaga player to make a move to the Premier League. His compatriot and former Malaga teammate Santi Cazorla signed for Arsenal last summer and the Gunners are favourites to land the youngster, heralded as ‘the next Fabregas’.

However, the North Londoners are in for a fight to sign the attacking midfielder – from Manchester United who are understood to be interested in bringing him to Old Trafford as the long-awaited replacement for veteran playmaker Paul Scholes.

Whilst Liverpool have reportedly joined the race – Brendan Rodgers’ new system is in desperate need of a shot of creativity, with Steven Gerrard being relied upon as the nucleus of the team, despite his advancing years.

Whether he’ll become the new Fabregas, Scholes, or Gerrard will likely be up to the player who looks set to have some big decisions to make in January.

He has a release clause with Malaga set at £17 million, which would still be a bargain for the young man who has so much potential.

Former winners of the award included Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets, and Athletico Bilbao’s Iker Muniain.

Isco emerged as one of the best players in Spain’s 2012 Olympic team who were shockingly eliminated in the group stages of the tournament, despite containing a number stars, including the likes of David De Gea, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Javier Martinez, Iker Muniain, Adrian Lopez, Juan Mata, Cristian Tello, and Isco.

Manchester United and Arsenal are tipped as the favourites to sign him, but it remains to be seen whom the youngster will pick as his ultimate idol and role model.

Juventus have entered themselves into the mix – perhaps he’ll be the next Andrea Pirlo instead?

images: © amg lincuden, © peacecup

Jenny Leigh

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Jennifer is a freelance writer and filmmaker from London with a great passion for football - the game, the business, and the culture. Jennifer hopes to provide readership with a high standard of news, analysis, and opinion over a range of football events, stories, and issues.