Many Sunderland AFC supporters must have to pinch themselves after recent French transfer | OneFootball

The club have come a long way from League One obscurity.

In 2019/20, Sunderland endured their worst ever season in the club's history after finishing eighth in League One on points per game (PPG).

The phrase 'fallen giant' comes to mind when reflecting on those dark days. How could a club with six top flight titles find themselves stranded in the third tier of English football?

At times, it felt like the club might never find its way back up the football pyramid, but after careful restructuring, the club has rediscovered its mojo.

Perhaps the most significant sign of progress has been the signing of Enzo Le Fee, who the Black Cats signed from AS Roma on loan with an obligation to buy for £16 if they secure promotion.

Sunderland were labouring in League One

Four and a half years ago, it would have been hard to fathom that Sunderland would be signing talent from one of Europe's elite clubs.

After the Wearsiders' second successive season in League One, the state of play could not have been more miserable. Phil Parksinson's side's 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers in April was the final game of the season before the campaign was curtailed due to COVID-19.

The club that many had predicted to bounce back to the Championship had not built on their fifth place finish which ended with defeat to Charlton Athletic in the play-off final.

The style of football was bleak, and the club clearly had not learned from their mistakes in the transfer market. Chris Maguire and Lynden Gooch finished as the club's top goalscorers with 10 each, while record League One signing Will Grigg only managed one league goal.

Considering how woeful things were at the Stadium of Light, immense credit must be given to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman, who have turned the club around with haste.

When news broke of Sunderland's interest in Le Fee, it was a pinch me moment for Sunderland supporters. After several seasons of careful and considered spending, the club were about to completely flip their spending strategy.

Roma had only signed the midfielder last summer for a deal worth €23m (approximately £19.4m) and had been hailed as one of the brightest young prospects in European football.

Regis Le Bris was the significant factor in the switch, having managed the 24-year-old at FC Lorient, but it felt absurd that he would be willing to take a step down to the Championship.

Nevertheless, in the two appearances he has made, Le Fee has made the second tier look like his playground and one thing that is certain is that Sunderland have a quality player on their hands.

The Frenchman's quick feet and trickery have been too much for defenders to cope with and his ability to glide past a man is frightening.

While it would be presumptuous to say that Le Fee will lead the Black Cats to promotion, he is demonstrating that he could be the Championship's best player.

Although he is currently on loan, the Wearsiders hold an obligation to buy the midfielder for £16m if they achieve promotion. On current evidence, this could go down as the greatest deal in the club's history.

Sunderland's rise from League One mediocrity to Championship promotion challengers has been seismic and significant thanks should be handed to Louis-Dreyfus and Speakman.

Due to the hard work done behind the scenes, the club are now attracting some of the most promising talents in the game with an eye on a return to the big time.

The signing of Le Fee should not be underestimated and if the club can achieve promotion, then it would be hard to stop them.