Plymouth Argyle could already have Morgan Whittaker 2.0 on their hands: View | OneFootball

The teenage talent has the potential to be a top performer at Home Park in the years to come

Highlights

The speculation surrounding Morgan Whittaker’s future isn’t going anyway anytime soon, as a number of clubs continue to circle around the Plymouth Argyle star.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brentford and Rangers are just three of the clubs said to be interested in the former Swansea City man this summer, after his 19 Championship goals for the Pilgrims in the previous campaign.

The left-footed talent is said to want a move to Scotland this summer, according to the Daily Record, with the Ibrox side reportedly having £7 million bid turned down earlier this summer.

But if Whittaker does depart Devon this summer, Argyle could already have a player who could fill his void already on their hands, with Freddie Issaka proving his talents once again in pre-season.

History-maker Freddie Issaka continue to impress for Plymouth Argyle

Argyle fans have been waiting for what seems like an eternity to see what Issaka can do on the biggest stage, having made his debut for the club at the age of 15 years and 34 days in August 2021, which is a club-record.

Since then, the Welsh youth international has been impressing for the development squad at Home Park, while being given sporadic opportunities within the first-team, mainly in cup competitions.

But in his brief appearances within the professional game, the teenager has already shown he has what it takes to have an impressive career in the game, and this latest pre-season has only backed that up even further.

While the attention immediately resonates towards Whittaker whenever he pulls a green shirt on, Issaka has been the man to steal the show during the early months of Wayne Rooney’s reign in Devon, and could be set for a run in the team once the Championship season gets underway next month.

After netting the first goal of the Greens’ pre-season against Orlando Pirates, the 18-year-old has continued to dazzle as he gives defenders a torrid time on the flanks, as seen again in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Torquay United.

A slaloming run into the penalty area created the move that saw Will Jenkins Davies fouled for a penalty for the opening goal at Plainmoor, with the academy graduate’s quick feet and searing pace too hot to handle for the Gulls.

Argyle fans will throw their minds back to a similar time last season, where the forward once again stole the show, but was hardly afforded any game time once the Championship season got underway. 12 months on, it feels like it could be a different story.

Wayne Rooney outlines Freddie Issaka stance ahead of Plymouth Argyle campaign

Not only has Issaka come on leaps and bounds in that time, but new boss Rooney [pictured] has made his intentions clear that he is willing to field any player who impresses him during his time at Home Park, which could spell good news for Issaka in the months to come.

Speaking after the Torquay United victory, Rooney said: "I thought Freddie was outstanding today, really positive. He has got a lot of ability and of course we have some really good, exciting attacking players.

"That's what I want the team to look like, and exciting team, but we have to do the right things with the the defensive and midfield players to allow those attacking players to go and express themselves, be creative and try to win games for us.

"Freddie had a tough first week (of pre-season). I told him that. We have standards we want to get to, and first week it was tough for him but his reaction to that has been fantastic.

"I thought he did really well last week when he came on (in the 5-1 win away to Cheltenham Town), and again today, so I'm really pleased with him.

"How I have worked as a manager in previous clubs is if the players are doing well and they deserve to play they will play. That's an opportunity now over the next couple of weeks for all the players, not just Freddie."

With his devastating pace and ability to beat a man all ends up, the loss of Whittaker may not prove to be the end of the world for the Pilgrims this summer, with Issaka ready to step up when needed, while the likes of Ibrahim Cissoko and Bali Mumba will also be a menace down the flanks.

The Greens are said to be holding out for £15 million for their prized asset, and if anybody comes close to that, it would be hard to see the Pilgrims’ resolve continuing to hold firm, with that sort of money too good to turn down for the Devonians.

But with another top talent waiting in the wings, the departure of Whittaker could pave the way for Issaka to make a name for himself in the year to come, and that is an exciting thought for everyone of a green persuasion.