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Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari expects out-of-favour attacking midfielder Isco to remain at the club and rediscover the form that made him one of the team's most important players over the past two years.
Isco has not started a league game since Solari succeeded Julen Lopetegui as Madrid coach at the end of October, but the team's results have improved dramatically in his absence, with Real winning five out of six league games since the Argentine took charge.
The Spain international's prolonged absence has sparked reports that he will seek an exit from the club, but Solari said Isco can work his way back to prominence at the Santiago Bernabeu
"Every player here has to be committed, dedicated and keep working with hope and excitement; they are all fundamental to us," Solari told a news conference ahead of Real's rescheduled game away to Villarreal on Thursday.
"Isco has given us a lot of joy and he has to keep doing that. He's a magnificent footballer and, now that we have lost Marcos Llorente, Javi Sanchez and Mariano, we're going to need everyone."
Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019Show all 30 1 /30Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Juan Mata – Manchester United The former Chelsea player will be a good addition to most teams
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Gianluigi Buffon – PSG At 40, the veteran goalkeeper can still do a job at a top club
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Filipe Luis – Atletico Madrid The 32-year-old would make a good addition to most side
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Diego Godin – Atletico Madrid The experienced defender would be a great quick-fix
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Dani Alves – PSG Is there one final move for one of the most successful players of a generation?
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Antonio Valencia – Manchester United The experienced defender is unlikely to remain first choice at United
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Franck Ribery – Bayern Munich The experienced winger could be set to leave Bayern in the summer
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Nacho Monreal – Arsenal The versatile defender has been getting better each season at Arsenal
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Daniel Strurridge – Liverpool The injury-prone forward might be worth a gamble from a Premier League side
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Gary Cahill – Chelsea The English defender is seeking more matches as he reaches the latter part of his career
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Juanfran – Atletico Madrid The seasoned defender still competes against the best in the game
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Pablo Zabaleta – West Ham When he’s not in Sky studios he can be found occasionally holding his own in the Premier League
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich Does the Dutch winger have one final move in him?
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Santi Cazorla – Villarreal The popular midfielder is making his return following a horrific injury
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Andrea Barzagli – Juventus There are few trophies the experienced defender has not won
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Adrien Rabiot – PSG The young midfielder has caught the attention of many clubs in Europe
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Fernando Torres – Sagan Tosu The Spaniard’s time in Japan comes to an end in December 2019
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Ander Herrera – Manchester United Is there room in the United midfield to keep Herrera?
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Andreas Pereira – Manchester United Jose Mourinho was very complimentary towards him in pre-season
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Leighton Baines – Everton Baines is beginning to be replaced in the Everton side
Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Michel Vorm – Tottenham The Spurs reserve goalkeeper will bring experience to any side
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Danny Welbeck – Arsenal The England forward suffered a nasty injury that could keep him out for a while
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Mohamed Diame – Newcastle Consistent form has been hard to come by for the powerful midfielder
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Wes Morgan – Leicester He captained his side to Premier League glory, which has to be worth something
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Jakub Blaszczykowski – Wolfsburg Once a star at Borussia Dortmund, the Polish winger’s career has slightly declined
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Fernando Llorente – Tottenham Athletic Club could offer him an early exit from Tottenham
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Stephan Lichtsteiner – Arsenal The Gunners will have to decide whether they have seen enough to keep him
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 Yacine Brahimi – Porto Newcastle, West Ham and Everton are said to be interested in the tricky winger
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 James Milner – Liverpool The fine-wine of a midfielder will be a popular player for plenty of top-flight sides
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Best free agents your team could sign for nothing in 2019 David Ospina – Napoli The Colombia and former Arsenal goalkeeper could be a good option
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Real's 2018 was a year of highs and lows. A third successive Champions League triumph was followed by the Club World Cup title, but the team's La Liga showing has been peppered with disappointments.
Victory over Villarreal would put Real level with Sevilla in third place, though they have not won their first away game of a new year since 2014.
"I have been told about this statistic and we will try to change it," Solari said.
"We'll try to play with commitment and energy. It's a difficult date, but the competition doesn't stop and we have to forget about the date."
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