Sport

Like father, like son: Manchester City target Isco eager to continue playing for ‘footballing dad’ Manuel Pellegrini

By Colin Henrys

Manchester City target Isco admitted he is proud his departing Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini wants to take him to England with him.

Chilean boss Pellegrini is odds-on favourite to replace the recently-sacked Roberto Mancini at the Etihad and the Blues have also reportedly made an offer for Isco.

And having worked under Pellegrini in Spain, the 21-year-old admits the offer is proving tempting.

“He’s my footballing father,” the Daily Mail report him saying. “He has given me all the confidence in the world and I’m very comfortable with him.

“There’s an offer from Manchester City and I’d like to carry on working with Manuel Pellegrini.

“I know Pellegrini likes me. He told me and I’m proud that he wants me. It’s an honour although I don’t speak much English.”

City face competition for the former Valencia playmaker, who is set to represent Spain at the European Under-21 Championship in Israel next month, however.

La Liga giants Real Madrid are also said to be interested and Isco admitted he will have to think long and hard about his final decision.

“I have to look at it calmly because it’s my future and it’s very important,” he said. “I waver between the teams who want me because it’s my future.

“My father is looking after it and there are other offers apart from Manchester City and Real Madrid. But I can’t talk about them.

“I’m not closing the door on any team. But I don’t want to go somewhere and sit on the bench.”

Image courtesy of Tam Tam, via Wikimedia Commons, with thanks

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