'Magic' Le Fee offers Sunderland promotion spark

Enzo Le Fee has made four appearances for Sunderland since arriving on loan from Roma

For the past month, the Championship has been a place of frantic and at times, desperate, dealing as clubs gear up for the final three months of the season.

But with the transfer window now shut, it is a case of make-do and hope the business makes the difference come May.

While it is too early to make definitive calls, Sunderland's decision to bring in Enzo Le Fee on loan from Roma may well prove a masterstroke as witnessed in the Black Cats' thrilling derby victory at Middlesbrough.

Early days of course, but the signs suggest that the French midfielder offers a level of quality not often seen in the second tier.

"Look at Le Fee. He is a quality player. What we've seen from him, wow. If he costs £20 million, that is money well spent," said ex-Black Cats skipper Gary Bennett on BBC Radio Newcastle.

Clubs at this stage of the season take different approaches to the January window. Promotion contenders Sheffield United have brought in seven new faces and Burnley, five. Leaders Leeds United opted not to sign anybody.

Sunderland have brought in two: Jayden Danns, a last-minute acquisition on loan from Liverpool and Le Fee.

Head coach Regis Le Bris targeted a player he had previously worked with back home at Lorient and the club acted decisively, bringing him in on loan on 11 January.

That means Le Fee has already played four league games - nearly 9% of the season - and has given him an extra few weeks to settle in and get used to a new league and his new team-mates.

His first three appearances offered glimpses of what Le Fee can do, but he provided concrete evidence at the Riverside with his first two Sunderland assists.

Boro right-back Luke Ayling was given a torrid evening, teased and tricked by the 25-year-old on a number of occasions.

Le Fee's through-ball set up French compatriot Wilson Isidor for Sunderland's second goal, while he flew past Ayling and delivered a cross which Ryan Giles diverted into his own net for the late winner as Sunderland did the double over Middlesbrough for the first time in 63 years.

The midfielder did not manage either a goal or an assist in his first few months at the Stadio Olimpico but his contribution on Teesside was worthy of the Premier League or Serie A.

And it could make a vital difference when only five points separate the top four in the race for those two automatic promotion spots.

Enzo Le Fee (right) joined Roma from Lorient last summer for a fee up to 23m euros

'Ridiculous skills'

However, the scariest thought for Championship defenders and for Sunderland's promotion rivals was Le Bris' assessment of his loan star after the game.

"Enzo was maybe 75% tonight," joked Le Bris.

"But he is now well connected with his team-mates. He has more relationships on the pitch down the left with Dennis (Cirkin), with Jobe (Bellingham), with Wilson, with Dan Neil.

"But I expect more from him because he is so talented. He could play at the best level, that means the Premier League or something else.

"He is not too far, but he still has a big margin, I'm sure."

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini was frank about how the side can fly in the promotion run-in .

"We need to get the ball to Enzo Le Fee - he's our bit of magic at the moment," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"Isidor's finish and Le Fee's touch for the third goal, they are showing ridiculous skills at times. That was the kind of thing you do in training."