A few weeks ago it seemed like a dream. Now it is inevitable.

According to numerous reports, Colombian superstar James Rodriguez is set to join Real Madrid for this upcoming season. The news carries tremendous excitement for an entire nation, but it also brings up a number of questions for the reigning European Champs.

Rodriguez is coming off a huge performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, in which he scored six goals in five matches, won the Golden Boot and was among the finalists for the Golden Ball. Additionally, Rodriguez led Colombia to its finest ever performance at the World Cup and has likely cemented himself as the greatest Colombian player of all time. As of this writing, he is already being compared to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar as one of the best in the world.

But the arrival of Rodriguez is not going to be an immediate match made in heaven. In fact, it could be a bit complicated. Reports indicate that Angel Di Maria, one of the heroes' of Madrid's Champions League victory, is on his way out to make room for Rodriguez. Di Maria is usually used out wide but coach Carlo Ancelotti pushed him into the middle of the pitch to allow expensive transfer Gareth Bale a chance to start. This worked brilliantly for Real Madrid as Di Maria found chemistry with Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric in a 4-3-3 system.

However, it came at a cost. Isco, another major summer acquisition and a fine young talent, was forced to sit on the bench. He had been the linchpin of a 4-2-1-3 system earlier in the year, but the need to put Di Maria, Ronaldo, Bale and Karim Benzema on the pitch at the same time meant that a sacrifice had to be made. It was Isco.

Isco is 22, one year younger than Rodriguez, and by all accounts is part of Madrid's future. Rodriguez would also be part of that future if he was acquired. The problem is that they both play the same position as a central attacking midfielder. Rodriguez can play out wide, but that is unlikely to happen while Ronaldo and Bale are manning those position. Di Maria, who was arguably better than both players in 2013-14, was forced to move away from the wing to make way for those two, so Rodriguez is probably not going to get the chance to play as a winger. It is also essential to remember that Jese Rodriguez is a terrific winger, as well, and that he is likely to step into the role currently occupied by Ronaldo or Bale; Jese is only 21 years old.

James Rodriguez is also not a traditional striker or a false nine, so his chances of playing instead of Benzema are minimal to none.

Isco can play as a false nine, winger, attacking midfielder or even in a more defensive position. He was asked to slot into the latter for the Copa del Rey Final and the Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich and acquitted himself rather well. He is an elite passer (he converted over 88 percent of his passes last season) and also an excellent dribbler; considering the fact the team has Ronaldo and Bale, this might be all he needs to fit right in.

Rodriguez is good with long passes and terrific at holding the ball, but he is also a finisher. While having him around gives the team another goal-scoring option, his ability to blend in really depends upon the style of play that coach Carlo Ancelotti wants to employ.

Madrid was a terrific counter-attacking side last year, but there was also more possession play employed than under previous coach Jose Mourinho. If Ancelotti plans to continue emphasizing direct counter-attacking, then Rodriguez is obviously the better option. Colombia attacked with terrific transition, and Rodriguez was the man to make the counter flow beautifully. But if possession is the name of the game, then Isco is clearly the better option.

The problem is that neither player is going to be happy sitting on the bench, and neither should be in that position. Rodriguez is one of the top scorers in the world at this moment, and Isco is going to be Spain's replacement for Andres Iniesta whenever the elite midfielder hangs up the studs. Both of them need to be in an environment where they can thrive and develop. Unfortunately, the arrival of Rodriguez may signal the end of Isco's short stint with Madrid.

And this discussion has not even considered how either player will get a chance with the arrival of Toni Kroos.

The German midfielder is a terrific passer and a creative mastermind. If he is expected to play deeper in the midfielder, then Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric or Asier Illarramendi will have to sit. Illarramendi has already been in that position before and Xabi is on the wrong side of 30. However, Alonso, Di Maria and Modric had tremendous chemistry last season and breaking up the entire trio completely could harm team unity on the pitch. Moreover, if Kroos is playing in Xabi or Modric's position, then Isco's chances of playing deeper in the midfield to facilitate Rodriguez in an attacking position will be all but nullified. How Ancelotti solves this complicated web is going to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the 2014-15 season.

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