isla made his professional debut on 19 december 2007 versus palermo in the coppa italia. on 8 march 2008, isla played his first game as a starter in serie a also against palermo, a game which ended in a 1–1 draw. after the departure of simone pepe, isla often played as a right wing-back in a 3–5–2 formation during udinese's 2010–11 serie a campaign, due to a long-term injury to dušan basta. in that season, he was instrumental in helping udinese finish fourth, thus gaining qualification to the 2011–12 uefa champions league play-off round.