RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesBRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE - JULY 23: Wilson Isidor leans on a canopy during a Sunderland AFC training session on July 23, 2026 in Brentwood, Tennessee. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) | Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
“Oh no”, you might be thinking.
“More pro-Wilson Isidor propaganda from that motormouth West? Can’t he find something else to write about?”
OK. I admit it: I love the bones off the lad and I make no apologies for that, but humour me for as long as it takes you to read this article, because as 2026/2027 looms into view, there are plenty of Sunderland players with points to prove and lots to gain, and he’s most definitely among them.
Let’s talk ‘exuberance’, a word that you could easily use to describe the striker’s demeanour.
One of the first instances of Isidor’s infectious zest for life (his “natural enthusiasm”, as iconic former Liverpool boss Bill Shankly was fond of saying), came in late 2024 and in a non-footballing capacity when he — along with several teammates — turned on the Sunderland Christmas lights at Keel Square.
Sending the then-new boy to flick the switch proved to be a smart decision, as videos and photographs of a smiling Isidor were soon splashed across social media.
This was a man clearly revelling in the attentions and affection of a fanbase whose loyalty he’d already won via a series of superb goals, and it became obvious to all that he was a footballer whose personality seemed an ideal fit for the times — buoyant, outgoing, and very easy to like.
An array of spectacular strikes marked his maiden campaign in English football and promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2024/2025 season was a fitting reward.
Isidor grabbed the crucial opener in the playoff semi-final first leg against Coventry, putting the Lads on course for a memorable run that culminated in a victory under the Wembley arch. We’ll take a moment to reflect on what followed in a moment, but for now, let’s look forward.
2026/2027. History in the making. New territory. Opportunities to perform and limitless possibilities, and certainly for players that can produce something from nothing to influence a game.
For Isidor and Sunderland, it’ll be an altogether different set of lights under which they’ll be performing — those that will illuminate the Lads’ first ever foray into the Europa League group stages, and the footballing romantic in me has big dreams for Isidor.
Continental football and a player of such mercurial ability?
A match made in heaven, you might assume, and when you consider the amount of exposure he’s been given by Sunderland recently (he was one of the first frontline World Cup players to report back for pre-season training, with the cavalry to follow), it’s obvious that he remains a key figure in the dressing room.
Scoring one of the best goals of the 2026 World Cup for Haiti would’ve doubtless given him a big boost despite an early exit from the tournament, and would it be presumptuous to assume that he’s launched into pre-season with a new hunger and desire to prove himself as a Premier League striker?
Let’s hope he has, because make no mistake: a fully fit and freshly-motivated Isidor is an asset.
It would be fair to say that his 2025/2026 season was…curious, to say the least.
It started impressively and encountered some turbulence before ending on a positive note as he scored to haul us level at Aston Villa before finishing off a classic move to seal an impressive 1-3 away victory at Everton. Even earlier in the season, he made history by scoring in our first three home league games, but it wasn’t all plain sailing as the emergence of Brian Brobbey altered the dynamic of the Sunderland attack.
The trip to Leeds, for example, felt like a real low point for Isidor as he looked disheartened and all at sea on a tough night at Elland Road.
At the time, I did almost fear for his future on Wearside but alas, there were more twists to come. Were the ear-cupping celebrations at Villa and Everton aimed at anyone in particular? Only he knows, but suffice it to say, if he feels the ongoing love of the Sunderland fans and can channel that into his performances — and there’s absolutely no reason he shouldn’t — he does have the ability to make it at this level.
Isidor isn’t the same profile of striker as Brobbey and he’s never going to be as intimidating a presence up top.
Instead, he thrives on speedier service, on passes slid between the lines and into spaces — which is exactly what Enzo Le Fée was able to do at Villa Park.
If the Frenchman is deployed centrally this coming season and Régis Le Bris feels the need to rotate his centre forwards amid a heavy European and domestic schedule, Isidor needs to be sharp, fired up and ready to deliver when the call comes. That’s on him and I hope that’s how it works out.
Who’s to say that during our trips across the the continent, he can’t provide some warmth on a cold winter’s night by bagging a Europa League brace to secure a memorable away victory, giving us more special memories to add to those he’s already provided?
A lot hinges on Isidor himself. If he’s mentally and physically ready for what lies ahead, I’d be very excited about the role he could play for us.
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