Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda have proved themselves to be scorers of great goals during Sunderland’s successful Premier League charge under Regis Le Bris.
But great goalscorers? That remains to be seen.
Despite both putting forward their fair share of Goal of the Season contenders throughout the 2024/25 campaign, neither Wilson Isidor nor Eliezer Mayenda really came close to forcing their way into the Golden Boot conversation.
Between them, Sunderland’s two centre-forwards netted 23 times in the Championship. A respectable tally, yes, but only narrowly more than Joel Piroe scored on his own for league champions Leeds United.
The affable Wilson Isidor enjoyed a ‘brilliant’ debut season in England; an immediate fan favourite, thanks to a combination of stunning volleys and wide-eyed celebrations. Eliezer Mayenda has caught the eye of big European clubs but appears determined to stay at the Stadium of Light and continue his impressive progress at a club he chose ahead of PSG, Marseille and Lyon when leaving Sochaux.
Yet with a reliable goalscorer potentially the difference between survival and relegation in the division above – and as Regis Le Bris is rewarded with a substantial summer budget – reports linking Sunderland with a variety of centre-forwards will come as little surprise.
The Black Cats are reportedly in the mix to sign two-time Ukrainian Premier League Golden Boot winner Vladyslav Vanat from Dynamo Kyiv. Emil Riis of Preston North End is one to watch as well, while Matija Frigan’s name has returned to the gossip columns.
Matija Frigan can achieve his ‘dream’ by signing for Sunderland
Matija Frigan indicated that Sunderland showed ‘serious’ interest in signing him during the January window.
Now, with their pockets deepened and their lure strengthened, the Croatia Under-21 international is keeping the door ajar should the Black Cats come calling again.
“When you play well, there are a lot of rumors,” Frigan tells Gazet van Antwerpen. “As a kid, I dreamed of playing in one of the big five leagues. That dream is still there.
“We will see what comes out of this summer. [But] I still have a contract for two years and I feel good here at the moment.”
After an underwhelming first season in Belgian football with KVC Westerlo, the former Rijeka starlet scored 14 times during the 2024/25 campaign.
At the age of just 22, he is another hungry young talent who would fit in nicely at the Stadium of Light.
Hamburg in advanced talks as Sunderland face missing out
Reports have indicated that Frigan may cost around £12.5 million.
But with another of European football’s sleeping giants awaking from their slumber – former European Champions Hamburg are back in the Bundesliga and ready to make a splash – Sunderland may be left wondering if this particular ship has sailed already.
“I think [Sunderland’s interest] was serious,” Frigan told Germanijak in the spring. “I don’t worry about it, I have people who follow it. But I heard that there was talk about it at the club.
“I liked the idea, but when it didn’t work out, I put it out of my mind the next morning. Summer is coming, maybe a new opportunity, but I have a solid contract, the club decides everything.”
As for Mayenda, the swashbuckling Spaniard who drew Sunderland level at Wembley with an explosive finish, the prospect of top-flight football in a red and white jersey has him quickly dismissing rumours of a summer sale.
“I just got promoted to the Premier League and I just want to enjoy it,” Mayenda, who scored seven of his ten goals this season after the turn of the year, tells So Foot.
“I’m really happy at Sunderland.”