French football expert Jeremy Smith runs the rule over the newest Black Cat recruit, Wilson Isidor.
F1879: Sunderland AFC have signed 23 year old former U20 French international, Wilson Isidor on loan with an option to buy. The Black Cats have been crying out for more of a proven striker for eons, how has Isidor developed since his time at in France, and what aspects of his game have improved most significantly? Can he be that effective, experienced centre-forward we have been missing? Indeed, is he an out and out striker?
JS: To be totally honest, I’m not sure this is the proven striker you’re looking for. From being a great prospect when he sprung onto the scene, he has never really fulfilled that potential. He is still young so there is still lots of time and room to improve, but it feels like he’s already been around a long time, already travelled a lot, and it’s arguable how much he has actually pushed on – although to be fair, his most prolific period was quite recently at Locomotiv Moscow. I also wouldn’t call him an out-and-out centre forward. He can play down the middle, down the flank or as a winger – but as a striker I wouldn’t call him a traditional strong, rugged hold-up man type of striker.
F1878: Isidor had a spell at Rennes in his youth. Do you know whether Régis Le Bris worked with him during this period and whether there was any positive reports of their time at Rennes together if so?
JS: They were certainly in the youth set-up at the same time, although I don’t know to what extent they worked together. But Isidor was known to be highly rated when at Rennes, already called up to the international youth teams, so whether or not it was down to Le Bris, the set-up as a whole was doing a good job with him.
F1879: How would you describe Isidor’s playing style? And, comparisons can be dangerous, but that said does he resemble anyone playing across Europe who Sunderland fans may be more familiar with in terms of technique and movement etc?
JS: It’s probably a bit of a lazy comparison because of the French connection and how highly rated he was as a youth, but I’m tempted to say Lacazette, in that he is able to play across the forward line, is probably more effective playing a little wide, certainly is able to play as a central forward but isn’t necessarily 100% convincing as “the” centre forward. He seems to be at his most comfortable playing off the opposite wing to his stronger foot and cutting inside to shoot. I could be very cheeky and mention Robben – but at least at this stage he’s certainly not in the same league as either of those two.
F1879: Since joining the Russian Premier League playing for Lokomotiv Moscow and Zenit, what specific role or roles has Isidor played within those teams and how has he adapted to the Russian Premier League? It sounds like he may have been versatile?
JS: I guess in his defence, his versatility has maybe been holding him back, as he is played in more than one position, and that seems to be the case while in Russia. He seems a lot more effective when played on the left wing, where he can use his speed and skill, He has also been played as a central striker but he doesn’t seem to have the physicality for it, which is a concern for the Championship.
F1879: What do you think are Isidor’s strengths and what areas of his game still need improvement for him to reach his full potential?
JS: See above – I think his strengths are his comfort with the ball at his feet and his ability to dribble past his opponent, cut inside or put in a cross from the byline. In terms of improvement – more clinical in front of goal, muscling up a bit and improving in the air and maybe the mental side – he seems to flit in and out of matches and in and out of form.
F1879: How well does Isidor fit into different tactical systems, such as those employing a lone striker versus being deployed in a 4-4-2? Régis Le Bris appears to favour a high press for example with a lone centre-forward, is he the sort of player who is capable of spearheading that approach?
JS: I don’t think that he is at his best as that lone centre-forward. I think he can be most effective on the left of a 4-3-3 or as the deeper-lying of a forward pairing. But I just don’t think he’s up to being that central focal point, either physically or mentally.
F1879: How would you assess his current level? Is he likely to be Championship ready? Also, what do you feel his future prospects are, does he have a high ceiling?
JS: It feels harsh to say it at only 23 but this feels like it could be a make-or-break move. I think the rigours and improvement in quality of a long Championship campaign will give him every opportunity to really step up and show what a talent he can be. The ceiling was always considered high for him but, several years on from his professional debut, he barely even has any top flight experience in any of the major leagues. A great season in the Championship would show that all the hype when he was a kid was justified. But he needs a big improvement in performance and consistency to get there.
F1879: Sunderland is obviously a huge club with big expectations, what insights can you provide on Isidor’s mentality and work ethic? How important have these attributes been in his career progression thus far?
JS: As above – I think when things are going well for him and around him he can kind of ride on the crest of a wave. But when things go wrong for him or the team, he doesn’t seem the type to step up, take the game by the scruff of the neck and bring others along with him.
F1879: At its simplest, do you feel this a good signing for Sunderland AFC?
JS: Well it’s a loan signing and I don’t know if you’re paying wages so I guess from that point of view it’s low risk. However, if it’s not obvious already, I don’t think he’s done enough over the past six years to convince me that he will be that effective forward that you’re looking for.
Thanks to Jeremy. Follow him on X.
Photo by Mark Fletcher via MI News & Sport/Alamy
