Why Real Madrid Must Not Consider Selling Isco in January Transfer Window

Rewind to June of 2013, a summer of significance for Real Madrid. 

Jose Mourinho had just left. Carlo Ancelotti had just arrived. The environment was tense. The previous season had been tumultuous. Club icons had been "isolated." Barcelona had the edge again. And the relationship between the club and its city just felt a little strained.

A quiet disconnect seemed apparent, and it was something that needed to be addressed. Though Real Madrid were not gripped by an identity crisis, the club did find itself needing to recapture the optimism of the 2011-12 campaign and its general attachment to the Spanish capital. 

Thus, a renewed commitment to elite Spanish talent was embarked upon: Daniel Carvajal was called back from Germany, Asier Illarramendi was signed for a big fee (€39 million) from Real Sociedad and Isco was brought to the capital from Malaga for something not too dissimilar. 

Though not blockbuster deals as such (that would come later in the form of Gareth Bale), the signings bolstered Real's Spanish identity. Indeed, after a period of business that had seen the core of the team built from Portugal (Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao), Germany (Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil), Brazil (Marcelo and Kaka), Argentina (Angel Di Maria), France (Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane) and Croatia (Luka Modric), Los Blancos' transfer activity conducted closer to home in 2013 was an important step for the club.

It was a way to reconnect. And for those who populate the Santiago Bernabeu on matchdays, the presence of Spaniards in the starting XI has always been cherished. 

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Undoubtedly, Isco was the brightest such talent to arrive that summer.

"Isco, you arrive at a club which doesn't accept the word impossible, but we believe in you, your talent and your class," president Florentino Perez said at his unveiling, per Sky Sports. 

The then-21-year-old, who had been signed to help Real Madrid "offer the best football possible," was also quick to state his intentions.

"I have to say that for a player there is nothing bigger than being at Madrid, it is the best feeling, and I hope to enjoy myself here and make everyone happy here."

Quite simply, he does. 

Isco is adored at the Bernabeu.

It's apparent every time he lights up Real Madrid's world-famous stadium—an occurrence that's becoming increasingly regular. 

His deft touches are cheered. His skips past an opponent are greeted with roars. His passing vision prompts oooh's and aaah's. His goals are greeted with almost unparalleled delight. 

And standing ovations for him are common. 

Isco, perhaps only second to the homegrown Jese, is already one of the Bernabeu's favourite sons. But, impressively, his importance to Real Madrid isn't just due to what he represents, the place of his birth. 

It's more than that.

He's a bona fide star. 

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"I won't assess his quality, because everyone is aware of it," Ancelotti said of the Spaniard with satisfaction last month, per the club's official website. 

He's right. We are. 

This season, Isco has played as a forward on the left, a forward on the right, a No. 10, a left-sided midfielder and as a central midfielder. 

He's excelled at them all.

And impressively, he's been quick to adapt to the last of those, the most difficult one for a born-and-bred playmaker, helping Real Madrid to overcome the loss of Modric to injury. 

"Playing in central midfield is helping me to become a more complete player," the 22-year-old said with conviction after the win over Ludogorets. 

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It's also impossible to ignore the contrast Isco brings to Ancelotti's midfield. He's a player of a faster tempo. A hub of activity. A source of irrepressible energy.

His presence acts like a double-shot of espresso to the Real Madrid attack. Just as it does for the enthusiasm of those inside the Bernabeu. 

He's a star. A point of contrast. A growing Spanish icon. A fan favourite. A manager's dream. A source of optimism. A key figure in his club's connection with its city. 

And he can't be sold.