Skip to content

World Cup Scout - Mauricio Isla

The Sky Sports Scout has turned his attention to the World Cup and his next report is on Mauricio Isla.

We run the rule over Chilean ace Mauricio Isla

Sky Sports Scout is our exciting feature where we scour the globe looking out for the best talent and bring you a report on what we find. Our Scout has now turned his attention to the World Cup finals and over the coming weeks will report on some of the best talent in South Africa. Also, in association with Football Manager, we give all readers the chance to win a copy of the latest game by nominating a player. You can only nominate a player by emailing here, including the word 'Scout' in your subject line and please check to make sure we haven't already covered the player! Should your player get reviewed by our scout, and you were first to send in his name, then you will win a copy of Football Manager 2010. Next under our scout's gaze at the finals is Chilean star Mauricio Isla - recommended by Sky Sports reader Ryan Burton.

The scout reports...

We check on one of the top-performers from the group stages, Chile's attacking full-back Mauricio Isla. Isla has long been heralded as one of Chile's most exciting prospects and that was borne out by his progress in Serie A with Udinese. Young Isla was a product of the Universidad Catolica's youth system and after being converted into a wing-back, he flourished and was part of the Chile squad which finished third at the 2007 World Under-20 championship. It was whilst playing for his country that Udinese spotted him and they snapped him up on a five-year deal. He was still yet to make his senior debut when Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa called him, having also spotted Isla's potential. His Chile debut came in mid 2007 aged 19, and within months he was making his debut for Udinese and he has not really looked back. Seen by many as an archetypal South American wing-back, Isla is fast, and attack-minded - which comes from his days as a midfielder - but he can also defend when needed. Whilst making the wing-back role his own, he is still able to play a part in midfield or even on the left flank. Isla is now a hugely important part of Bielsa's team, and his progress has not gone unnoticed in South Africa.

The scout says...

He is already being linked with some of Serie A's bigger clubs, but his progress is also thought to be attracting interest from around Europe.

The Scout rating...

Shooting: 7 out of 10 Passing: 8 out of 10 Tackling: 9 out of 10 Heading: 7 out of 10 Pace: 7 out of 10 Vision: 7 out of 10 Current ability: 7 out of 10 Potential ability: 9 out of 10 OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 61/80 Current value: £6million Potential value: £20million
Your opinion...
You have read our opinion of Mauricio Isla - now we want your views. Have you seen Isla in action? Do you agree with our assessment? Do you think he will make it? And if you have spotted anyone you think we should feature then please get in touch using the same form. We will look to send out the Scout to follow up some of your leads.