Wilson Isidor's magic at Sunderland: The loan star giving fans plenty to cheer about
Today at 02:00 AM
Wilson Isidor's spectacular form is winning fans' hearts fast — is he the striker Sunderland have been waiting for?
Those of us who've witnessed Sunderland's home matches this season have been treated to plenty of memorable goals as Régis Le Bris' French Revolution continues to yield amazing results — even in its early stages.
From Eliezer Mayenda's emphatic strike against Sheffield Wednesday, to Chris Rigg's improvised backheel against Middlesbrough, and Jobe rifling the ball home from twenty-five yards against Derby, we've scored plenty of goals that will doubtless be replayed on 'Best of 2024/2025' compilations for years to come, and shown the rest of the Championship that we're capable of finding the net from just about anywhere.
Against Oxford on Saturday, it was Wilson Isidor's turn to put his name on that list, following hot on the heels of his superb run and dinked finish against Hull last weekend.
The French striker (along with most of his teammates) found the going slightly tougher in the face of Luton's roughhouse tactics midweek, but as the Lads marked their return to the Stadium of Light after two hugely impressive results on the road, he got in on the act, and then some.
We'd already led Oxford a merry dance for much of the game, with Jobe opening the scoring in the first half, and the goal that eventually clinched it was something special.
In terms of execution, it was a thing of beauty as we regained possession just inside the visitors' half. Dan Neil lofted a perfect pass to find Isidor, enabling him to guide a sumptuous volley past visiting goalkeeper Jamie Cumming to make it 2-0 and kill off the game as a meaningful contest.
Volleying home a ball that's dropping over your shoulder is a fiendishly difficult skill to master.
David Platt famously scored a similar goal at the 1990 World Cup, and Mark Hughes netted in equally spectacular fashion against Leeds United in 1992/93, but Isidor made it look almost comically easy as he didn't even break stride before burying the chance and wheeling away in celebration.
If Rigg's backheel was the kind of goal that might've inspired youngsters right across Wearside to imitate him, Isidor's volley will doubtless be replicated on school playgrounds and Saturday morning pitches as young footballers urge their mates to chip a ball forward for them to volley. Such inspiration is really what this Sunderland side is all about.
I have to hold my hands up at this stage and confess that Isidor is confounding any worries I might've had about him not being suited to a central striker's role.
He'd been deployed on the left during his introductory appearances for the U21s, and there was plenty of discussion about where he'd fit into the first team. But in recent weeks, he's shown his worth as one of the many exciting strikers we have on our books, and his skill, dynamism, and attitude are giving us a truly potent edge up top.
His goals against Watford and Derby were classic poacher's finishes; his decisive strike at the MKM Stadium was a superb piece of individual ability and persistence, and his gem against Oxford summed up our performance as we cut loose and demonstrated exactly what we're capable of when we control a game and keep the opposition on the back foot.
Additionally, Isidor's enthusiasm, rapport with the fans, and confidence are serving him immensely well, and although it's easy to declare that a player 'gets it,' it's hard to overlook the idea that he's genuinely proud to be a Sunderland player and is determined to make the most of his time in red and white.
Personally, and regardless of how the remainder of the season pans out, I really hope we can turn his loan move into a permanent transfer and welcome Isidor back to the Stadium of Light next summer on a longer-term contract.
After an arduous and often fruitless search for a striker who can lead the red-and-white line effectively in the wake of Ross Stewart's injury and subsequent departure, we've certainly struck gold with this exciting young Frenchman. Along with Mayenda, Aaron Connolly, and Ahmed Abdullahi, Isidor will be a key player for us this season, fitness permitting.
I absolutely love Sunderland players who play with joy and make it their mission to inspire and entertain the supporters whenever they take to the field, and Isidor certainly fits that profile.
Our fans at home and away have a new terrace hero to rally behind, and Saturday's goal was just the latest chapter of what's already looking like a memorable story for another Sunderland loanee.
'Don't fall in love with a loan player,' they say?
It's too late. Many of us already have.
