They say never fall in love with a loan player, but when Amad Diallo was playing a starring role at Sunderland in the 2022/23 campaign it became increasingly difficult.
The Manchester United winger couldn't have done much more and hasn't enjoyed an individual campaign better since. It speaks volumes that he's still so loved in Wearside, despite spending just one season at the club.
diallo-sunderland
A permanent deal was never likely to happen, but Sunderland fans couldn't be blamed for dreaming. After all, Amad was simply a cut above the rest in that campaign.
Amad Diallo was unplayable at Sunderland
Sat above Newcastle United in the Premier League and well on course to confirm their survival, Sunderland could be set for another frantic summer transfer window.
The Black Cats already spent big last summer and now that they're on their way to becoming an established top flight side again, they should be more ambitious than ever.
Top of their list of priorities should be finding their next Amad. The Ivory Coast winger scored 14 goals and created four more during his loan spell and Sunderland have arguably lacked such a talented winger ever since.
Amad at Sunderland
Games
Goals
Assists
Successful dribbles per 90
Chances created per 90
At just 20 years old, Amad took the Championship by storm and enjoyed the pure definition of a successful loan spell for a young player in the Premier League.
Those in Wearside have tried and failed to replicate his success ever since, with the likes of Jack Clarke eventually impressing before leaving for Ipswich Town in 2024.
It wasn't until last summer when it finally looked as though those at the Stadium of Light had repeated their success when they once again fell in love with a loan player.
Xhaka-O'Nien-Sunderland Related
Le Bris can bin O'Nien by unleashing Sunderland star who's better than Xhaka
This Sunderland star can replace Luke O'Nien in the starting line-up for Regis Le Bris after the break.
Sunderland's new Amad is now playing second fiddle
This time it was Wilson Isidor and this time their love led to a permanent stay. Almost 12 months later, however, it's fair to say that the honeymoon period is over.
It seemed like a match made in heaven when Isidor made his loan move permanent last summer, arriving for £5m. Sunderland's eyes were soon looking elsewhere though, and this Brian Brobbey affair is likely to leave Isidor heading for the exit door when the summer arrives.
Wilson-Isidor
Brobbey has simply forced his way into the side. He has become impossible to deny and after bullying his way to a winning goal in the Tyne-Wear derby, he may have put the nail in the coffin for his predecessor.
Despite scoring 12 goals in Sunderland's promotion season, the forward has been handed just 11 starts in the Premier League. It's fair to say that Regis Le Bris simply does not believe that he's ready for the top flight and has acted ruthlessly as a result.
Isidor at Sunderland 24/25 25/26
Minutes 3,117 1,066
Goals 12 4
Assists 2 0
XG 15.11 3.74
Shots per 90 2.74 3.21
It's been a surprising turn of events since last season. Sunderland made the decision to sign Isidor on a permanent basis from Zenit less than 12 months ago, knowing that he would have tough competition from Brobbey.
Sunderland's Wilson Isidor
Some may have believed he was an Amad repeat at the time, but the underlying numbers always suggested otherwise. He's simply never been clinical in front of goal and, as involved as he often is when handed the opportunity, Isidor cannot and hasn't been able to guarantee goals in the top flight.
Last season's first red flag was his xG. The former Zenit forward underperformed by three goals and wasn't offering much outside of that - asissting just twice.
It's been a similar story this season. Although he's been involved plenty - taking over three shots per game - he's only netted four league goals.
As Brobbey continues to become a Wearside hero, it would come as no shock if Sunderland decided to cash in on the player they once believed was their next Amad this summer.
anthony-gordon-newcastle-sunderland Related
Le Bris has struck gold on Sunderland's very own version of Anthony Gordon
Sunderland are creating a team of talented stars under Regis Le Bris's wing.