Sunderland AFC: Regis Le Bris will be hoping he gets 2022-23 version of Enzo Le Fee | OneFootball

Enzo Le Fee was superb in 2022-23 and Regis Le Bris will be lookig for those level of performances at Sunderland.

The deal that has captivated EFL fans so far in this window is the potential of Enzo Le Fee joining up with Regis Le Bris' Sunderland.

In what can only be described as a statement signing, the 24-year-old midfielder seems destined to join the Black Cats, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting the Frenchman is set to have his medical today (9th January).

While Regis Le Bris didn't confirm the signing in his Thursday afternoon press conference, his tongue-tied answers suggested the deal is not far from completion.

This loan addition will prove a real coup for Sunderland and Le Fee will remain at the Stadium of Light post-June if he can help the Wearside club secure promotion. This is due to a buyout clause of €23 million, which Roma have included within the deal.

The Frenchman has struggled to find his footing during his time in the Italian capital, but his exceptional performances in France’s top division, particularly under Le Bris at FC Lorient, showcased his immense potential. Reuniting with his former boss could provide the perfect platform for Le Fee to rediscover the form that once established him as one of Europe’s most exciting talents.

Sunderland fans will want to see the 2022-23 version of Le Fee

Having made the €23 million move from Rennes to Roma in the summer, it may be concerning for Sunderland fans that the Giallorossi are willing to let him depart just six months later.

However, Mackems, you needn't be concerned.

Before his move to Italy, the midfielder was the epitome of consistency, featuring in an impressive 108 games for Lorient and Rennes between the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons.

His most successful year came under current Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris in the 2022-23 season, during which he tallied five goals and five assists in the league.

Beyond the surface, his underlying figures paint an even prettier picture. Featuring 35 times in Ligue 1, he created the eighth most chances in the division and his expected assists per 90 stood just below Kylian Mbappé's (0.2 to 0.24).

Naturally, this shows Le Fee's presence going forward, but he can also provide a helping hand at the back with his 64 tackles won, placing him fourth in the division for most successful challenges.

The thing that makes this all the more impressive, is that he was producing these numbers for a side that was fighting relegation in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Under Le Bris once again, this is the sort of impact he will be looking for, and he could be that extra addition Sunderland need to propel them towards promotion.

Enzo Le Fee will be a good addition to Sunderland's midfield

During this campaign, Sunderland's head coach has favoured a midfield duo of Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil with Chris Rigg in advance of them.

This trio has arguably been the most impressive in the division and bolstering it with the addition of Le Fee will only enhance hopes of returning to the Premier League.

While many will argue he won't find a place in the starting XI, the Frenchman's experience and quality have the potential to relieve pressure on the younger players.

If he does find form, it is difficult to see him not getting a place with his previous seasons in Ligue 1 displaying a level equivalent to that in the top tier of English football.

This has to be viewed as one of the deals of the window and come May, we could be looking back on it as one of the most impactful January signings in recent memory.