Wilson Isidor: Scouts from ‘top clubs’ watch Sunderland star as move lined up
Wilson Isidor has enjoyed a strong start to the season so far with Sunderland among the most impressive teams in the Premier League’s early stages.
Regis Le Bris’ side beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on 25 October, with Isidor getting on the scoresheet once again as he fired his side into the lead.
A late winner from Chemsdine Talbi ensured the visitors took all three points and moved them up to fourth in the table with nine games played.
However, an unwanted consequence of the Black Cats’ early success is that their performances have attracted interest in a number of their best players.
One player attracting attention from top clubs both in the Premier League and across Europe is Isidor, with the striker proving himself capable at the top level.
Aston Villa among clubs scouting Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 26 September that Aston Villa are closely monitoring Isidor following his tremendous start to the season.
However, Unai Emery’s side are not the only ones keeping a close eye on the striker’s progress, with scouts from a number of top clubs tracking him.
That is according to former Sunderland and Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his former clubs, as he exclusively told Football Insider that scouts will have been impressed by the forward’s performance against Chelsea.
“Unfortunately, this is the way it tends to work,” he told Football Insider.
“If you get promoted from the Championship and start the season strongly, and your players are proving they can impress at this level, it’s going to attract interest.
“It’s a difficult situation for Sunderland, really, because they obviously want to keep these players.
“Isidor in particular is attracting interest and a lot of top clubs have had scouts watching him.
“They’ll have been keeping tabs on his performance against Chelsea, because that shows he can do it against the top sides and not just those down the bottom.
“Sunderland experienced it in the Championship last season, with clubs looking at their players.
“It’s no different now, and whether it’s Isidor or anybody else, I expect they’ll be determined not to lose them after having such a good start.”
Isidor’s form for Sunderland has not gone unnoticed amongst his teammates either, as captain Granit Xhaka labelled him “unbelievable” following his goal against Villa. [Sky Sports]
Aston Villa keeping tabs on Isidor after Ollie Watkins latest
Brown told Football Insider on 30 September that Aston Villa scouts are watching Isidor as they aim to sign competition for Ollie Watkins in the mid-season window.
Jhon Duran’s move to Al Nassr in January left Emery short of options, and left Watkins as the only out-and-out striker on the books at Villa Park.
Now, scouts have been sent to keep close tabs on Isidor’s performances at the Stadium of Light as Villa weigh up whether he is the right man to strengthen Emery’s side.
Watkins is in the worst form of his Aston Villa career, and the lack of depth in his position to push him for a starting XI spot has been cited as one of the reasons.
However, Brown told Football Insider that Aston Villa plan to back Watkins despite his frustrating form and are convinced he will get back to his best.
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