Wilson Isidor is Sunderland's charismatic figurehead and a genuine 'box office' player

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The on-loan Frenchman has become a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light, and if he eventually joins on a permanent basis, it could prove to be an inspired piece of business, writes Phil West

It's time for me to make a confession.

For some time after he joined Sunderland on loan, I was somewhat unconvinced about Wilson Isidor's credentials as the goal-getting forward we needed in order to shore up a red and white attack that had misfired so badly during 2023/2024.

Amid the deafening cries and demands for Kristjaan Speakman and company to sign an experienced second tier striker, Isidor didn't really seem to fit the profile of the hardworking, rugged, aggressive Championship number nine that so many fans were crying out for.

Was he an adaptable 'hybrid forward'? A left winger masquerading as a striker or vice-versa, or another example of Sunderland taking another foreign gamble after we failed to make any breakthroughs in the British market during the summer and the pursuit of Alexandre Mendy eventually came to nothing?

Initially, I wasn't blown away by Isidor, despite the Frenchman scoring some exceptional goals early in the season and his own obvious excitement at swapping Russia for a crack at the English Championship.

Yes, his social media posts struck the right tone and he came across as an easy player to like, but to be frank, I wanted to see a lot more before allowing myself to be won over.

Even as recently as the dour home clash with Bristol City, during which Isidor was worryingly ineffectual, I felt (and tweeted mid-game) that he was too much of an 'either/or' footballer; a player capable of magic moments and stunning goals but also periods of anonymity as games passed him by and he appeared to be, at best, on the fringes of the action.

The paradoxical nature of Isidor's playing style was illustrated against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, as in the midst of another frustrating display, he gave us the lead with a ridiculously casual backheeled finish in front of the red and white-clad Darwen End.

That was Isidor in summary, but after a prolific Christmas period, lit up by a goal against Sheffield United during which he made Anel Ahmedhodžić look like a mannequin on the way to giving us a 2-1 lead, I'm happy to declare that I'm now a convert.

With Sunderland rumoured to have first refusal on a permanent deal for Isidor in the summer, and even though there's a good deal of the season left to play, the thought of him remaining on Wearside beyond 2024/2025 is undeniably exciting.

It's perfectly obvious that he not only has a taste for the big stage and the confidence to execute his skills on the pitch, but that he thrives on the responsibility of his role within this Sunderland team.

Over the years, countless players have been visibly burdened by the pressure of leading the red and white line, but he's an exception; a footballer blessed with real aura and charisma, and someone around whom the fans and his teammates can rally and be inspired by.

Indeed, during the victory over the Blades on New Year's Day, Sky Sports commentator Gary Weaver used the phrase 'Sunderland's showmen' during his live call of Eliezer Mayenda's opening goal, and as part of a team that can boast an incredible amount of individual talent, Isidor certainly stands out.

The bursts of pace, the sublime technique and the outrageous finishes are one thing, but his charisma, charm and laid-back nature are also endearing.

In recent games, as part of an exciting-looking attacking duo alongside the ever-improving Mayenda, he looks to have upped his game even more, carrying more than his share of the load and playing a major role in keeping our promotion challenge on track.

Based on what we've seen so far, you can certainly understand why we brought him to the club, and the tradeoff between his quieter periods and the moments of magic is one that Régis Le Bris and his coaches are clearly willing to accept.

Could he make the step up to the Premier League in the future? We'd all love to think so, but for now, he's proving to be an incredibly dangerous Championship attacker, which is precisely what we need.

When the candidates for 'goal of the season' are eventually whittled down to a handful, it's a safe bet that Isidor's strikes will dominate the list, and he's undoubtedly added a sprinkling of Gallic stardust to what was already a very exciting Sunderland squad.

We'll need all of that brilliance in the weeks and months to come, but he's already demonstrated that he can deliver when it matters.

When playing up front for Sunderland, that's a priceless asset, and he'll doubtless be eager to impress even more during what's turning into a memorable maiden campaign in English football.