Former Real Madrid defender Ivan Helguera has claimed that Los Blancos are a better team when Spanish midfielder Isco is not in the starting XI.

Isco, 23, is one of Real Madrid's most popular players with the club's supporters, who have long called for his inclusion on a regular basis.

The midfielder has been a key part of Zinedine Zidane's plans since the Frenchman took charge last month, but Helguera has laid into his fellow Spaniard for his lack of an all-round game.

"If Real had Claude Makelele and Fernando Redondo just now, they could get by just fine playing Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez and Isco," Helguera, who represented Real Madrid between 1999 and 2007, told El Pais.

"There are specialists who can boss the middle of the park for you, but Toni Kroos and Luka Modric aren't like that. They need someone else in there. That even goes for bringing the ball out. If Modric and Kroos are marked, who's going to start moves off?

"James offers more goal threat and incisive passing than Isco. Isco doesn't set up goals, he doesn't score them, he doesn't head the ball and he doesn't win possession. He could offer a lot more, but because the Bernabeu applaud him every time he does a trick."

Isco is expected to be in the Real Madrid side for tonight's Champions League last-16 first leg away to Roma.