Look at matters in the mircro and those two missed penalties at Turf Moor may still sting as a new week begins on Wearside.
But, pull back to the macro view and perhaps Leeds United at home aside – in respect of performances on the pitch – Sunderland AFC has matched or outperformed every side in the league this season. Indeed, after 27 games played, the Black Cats sit only two points from an automatic place.
It is fair to conclude, not many called that at start of the 2024/25 campaign.
A significant factor behind the club’s positive run is loanee striker, Wilson Isidor. After – it must be said – his very disappointing penalty kicks on Friday night, it’s worth reminding ourselves just how the Zenit man has contributed to the Black Cats now knocking firmly on the door of the Premier League once again.
The Stats
24 matches played, 8 goals scored. A solid return by any measure. With 21 games still to be played there is also a good chance we could be talking about 15+ goal striker by May. At 24-years-of age and for his first season in English football, it has to be said the reported option to buy fee of €4million would surely prove to be a no-brainer for Kristjaan Speakman to sanction, once the curtain is drawn on the 2024/25 campaign.
As the table below shows the Frenchman also leads his teammates for goals scored, xG, total shots, and shots on target. He has, quite simply, become his side’s most potent attacking threat.
Top Five attacking Sunderland players (data via Opta) | |||||||||
Player |
Apps |
Mins |
Goals |
xG |
Goals vs xG |
Shots |
SOT |
Conv % |
xG per Shot |
Wilson Isidor |
23 |
1741 |
8 |
6.73 |
1.27 |
52 |
23 |
15.38 |
0.13 |
Romaine Mundle |
15 |
1029 |
4 |
1.50 |
2.50 |
23 |
9 |
17.39 |
0.07 |
Jobe Bellingham |
23 |
2038 |
4 |
1.84 |
2.16 |
34 |
8 |
11.76 |
0.05 |
Chris Rigg |
22 |
1774 |
4 |
4.78 |
-0.78 |
34 |
10 |
11.76 |
0.14 |
Eliezer Mayenda |
18 |
1248 |
3 |
5.99 |
-2.99 |
34 |
16 |
8.82 |
0.18 |
Whilst obviously not the single factor, his actions have nonetheless helped the Rokemen currently rank third in the Championship for shots on goals and fifth for goals scored. Indeed, Sunderland’s underlying data – underpinned by metrics Isidor has significantly contributed to – show why the club deserves to be where they are in the table, as we approach February.
Make no mistake, it has been a thrilling season to date and watching Isidor hitting the back of the net with aplomb (just do not mention spot-kicks) has been a major factor in that.
Crucially, Isidor has been key to settle those games that have hung in the balance too. Think back to Portsmouth at home where – after just seven minutes played – his smart strike settled the game 1-0.
Reflect upon the Lads’ victory against fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield United where Isidor’s goal on 35th minute proved to be decisive.
While we are on the subject, it may also be worth replaying the winner he scored against Hull City back in October 2024 where he latched onto a breakaway opportunity, running 80-yards to slot the ball calmly by Ivor Pandour.
We should also examine how Isidor continues to compare favourably against his peers in the Championship.
As the radars above evidence, Isidor continues to stack up well even when viewed directly against one of the best performing strikers in the league.
Areas to improve
There is of course room for improvement. It is clear Le Bris’ side may benefit with more assists and self-created shots. Yet, Isidor is in many ways still a work in progress; still adjusting to the league, still seeking to settle into a new country and establish himself as an out and out centre-forward in the second tier. We should be mindful here that during his spell in Russia, Isidor was often deployed on the left-wing, where his pace and ability to dribble with the ball at his feet whilst cutting in on his right, was seen as his main attribute.
As we have all been witness to since then, Isidor offers more than that.
It is likely that in the event a permanent deal is secured and assuming he stays free from serious injury (keep everything crossed!) there is every chance the Frenchman can improve upon what has been a successful season thus far.
Rumours
This brings us nicely onto reports over the weekend from journalist, Alan Nixon. He claims that other teams are now understandably taking an interest in Isidor. This would be far from surprising given his excellent performances for the Black Cats. Nixon further adds that the option to buy price is actually quite higher than first suggested in some quarters, thus placing the Sunderland hierarchy in a more difficult position in the event they did wish to make the deal permanent.
However, without wishing to seek to discredit Nixon’s reporting here, it is unclear how his story stacks up against the club’s official statement following Isidor’s arrival on Wearside back in August 2024:
“The 23-year-old forward has moved to Wearside on loan for the 2024-25 season, joining from FC Zenit Saint Petersburg. An option to make the transfer permanent following the conclusion of the campaign is included within the terms of the agreement.”
If the price for Isidor’s services is already agreed within the terms of his Sunderland contract, well, surely the price is already, erm, agreed and within a budget that is agreeable to all parties?
What next for Isidior?
What we know for sure, is given Kyril Louis-Dreyfus et al have committed to a transfer of around £20m for Enzo Le Fée, in the event promotion is secured, it is hoped that Wilson Isidor’s valuation should remain well within scope, especially if his goals have helped the Black Cats return to the Premier League.
Away from the finances and it is also clear that Isidor is likely a confidence player, with emotions impacting upon his performances. This will require some careful management from Régis Le Bris over the next few days ahead. Isidor’s tears, as he left the field against Burnley following those missed penalties show that they both may take some exorcising.
Let us hope that he manages to drive out any of those negative energies against Derby County on Tuesday! Because if Sunderland are to achieve promotion this season, as the above shows, Wilson Isidor will surely be a significant part of that success.
Photo by Mark Fletcher via MI News & Sport/Alamy