LFC Transfer Spotlight: Mauricio Isla

by NC Nole on Feb 10, 2012 8:59 PM GMT in 12. Transfer Articles

GENOA, ITALY - JANUARY 15: Mauricio Isla of Udinese Calcio in action during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on January 15, 2012 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

With this weekend's match up versus ManU I am sure the last thing on your mind are transfer targets. Well the transfer game never sleeps and be assured that Damien and company are always scouting as are we here at Anfield Asylum. I fully expect a busy transfer window for LFC during the summer to get rid of some of the creaking knees and bring in some fresh blood.

Today's focus will be on Mauricio Isla, Mr. Everything for Italian Serie A club Udinese

The Stats:

Name in native country:	Mauricio Aníbal Isla Isla
Date of birth:	12.06.1988
Place of birth:	Buin
Age:	23
Height:	5'8"
Nationality:	Chile
Position:	Midfield - Central Midfield
Foot:	right
Market value:	9.200.000 £
Player's agent:	Leo Rodriguez

Isla is a very versitile player that can play centrally in midfield, and virtually anywhere on the right hand side of the pitch. He is very much like Glen Johnson in the fact that he can play defense but loves to play forward on the pitch and covers a lot of ground working byline to byline Although Alexis Sanchez was rewarded with a transfer to Barca over the summer, Mauricio factored a lot into the fourth place finish for Udinese last season.

Isla has impressed coach Pasquale Marino with his willingness to play any role asked of him. He has gelled exceptionally with captain Antonio Di Natale who has been on the good side of many of Mauricio's pin-point crosses.

To date Isla has three goals and two assists during this Serie A campaign. More stats and an assesment can be found here at whoscored.com

Here is a video showing some of Mauricio's skills in both Serie A action and for Chile.

Role af LFC?

Isla could provide some excellent coverage on the right hand side of the pitch. With Stevie G, Bellers, and Kuyt all getting up there in age he could provide some fresh legs and help track back to help out our stellar back line. He is very versitile and is a very viable attacking threat. I think the pass and move system is right up his alley.

Verdict

Isla's agent has recently expressed LFC interest, also I understand that Inter are tracking Isla. I think he could be an immediate contributor out wide on the right as this seems to be our weak side. I think he could immediately succeed Dirk on playing the right wing. I also think he could mesh well with the other South Americans on the LFC roster. What are your thoughts on Isla? How do you think he would fit into the squad? At what price would you find acceptable?

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Seems like a good pick up

but I’m not sure how much we add over the summer. I’d guess it depends on if we need more depth to deal with Europe, because if not, we’re good. If you have the depth coming up, from Sterling, Coady, Wilson, Wisdom, Coates, Flannagan, Robinson, Suso, Joao Texieria, Adorjan, Shelvey, among others. We could use another striker, if we end up in Europe and the kids (Adorjan, Morgan, Amoo, Ngoo) aren’t ready to give depth. We could use a right wing since we have none, and just more wing depth in general. Maybe a little better depth at fullbacks since you have options like Wisdom, Wilson, and Coates coming up to provide depth in the middle.

Basically, the depth is needed on the edges, and maybe one more striker, but the middle of the pitch is solid, with the aforementioned centerbacks, plus Agger, Skrtel, and Carragher (and Kelly), with Adam, Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas, Spearing, Shelvey, and Coady, among others in central midfield, then Bellamy, Kuyt, Carroll, Suarez, and the aforementioned kids at striker.

Of course, if some of those players are sold, we need more.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 10, 2012 10:41 PM GMT reply actions

You are correct about our youth movement but I feel like most of our youth is still a few years away from regular first team action. Isla is a proven commodity and can step in now.

Even if we don’t make europe we could still use players like Isla. Kuyt could leave this summer if we get enough cash. Bellers can only play one full match a week. We need injury cover as injuries are inevitable. Plus Lucas will need some time to get back in the swing of things. Having Aqua or another MF or even wing would have helped. Also I want to see adam relegated to a bench role

by NC Nole on Feb 11, 2012 12:34 AM GMT via mobile up reply actions

If he is Mr Everything?

Isn’t he going to cost too much? At 24 how much growth can we project?

But you are right that the team seems to need a right winger. I’m shocked we haven’t seen more Johnson in RM. (Not knowing much about Tex or Sterling) I don’t really see any RM in the youth squad either.

Bye Travis and thanks for 2010! Good luck with the Brewers!

by kennv on Feb 10, 2012 11:06 PM GMT reply actions

He just got stretchered off against Milan

Ambrosini landed awkwardly on his right leg. Not sure how serious the injury is, but he’s been substituted.

I have it on good authority that if you type "Google" into Google, you can break the Internet. So please, no one try it, even for a joke. It's not a laughing matter. You can break the Internet.
The IT Crowd

by beast in bama on Feb 11, 2012 6:24 PM GMT reply actions