Did Sunderland Do Enough in January? A Strong Window, but Was It Enough?
Sunderland’s January transfer window has been widely regarded as a solid one, with three important additions to the squad. However, despite the positive aspects of their business, there is an undeniable feeling that the club could have done more—particularly in the attacking department. The Black Cats managed to bring in Enzo Le Fee from Roma on a loan deal with a £20 million obligation to buy if they achieve promotion, Wilson Isidor on a permanent deal from Zenit St. Petersburg for £5 million, and Jayden Danns on loan from Liverpool. These signings have strengthened the squad, but there is a lingering sense that Sunderland missed a major opportunity to further solidify their promotion push.
There is no doubt that Enzo Le Fee is the headline signing of the window. The 24-year-old French midfielder is a player of real pedigree, having played in both Ligue 1 and Serie A, and his technical ability, vision, and passing range make him a standout addition to Regis Le Bris’ squad. His arrival adds an extra dimension to Sunderland’s midfield, giving them more creativity and control in possession. The fact that the club secured a deal that could see him join permanently for £20 million if they win promotion shows the level of ambition within the club. Sunderland are clearly planning for life in the Premier League, and Le Fee has the quality to be a key player at that level.
However, following the Le Fee signing, many expected Sunderland to push ahead with further high-profile additions, particularly in attack. The club’s well-documented pursuit of Tom Cannon from Leicester City was an indication of their desire to strengthen their striking options. Reports suggested that Sunderland were willing to spend £13 million on a loan-to-buy deal for the 21-year-old forward, who had previously impressed on loan at Preston North End. Cannon seemed like an ideal addition—young, talented, and with Championship experience—but in the end, he chose to join Sheffield United instead.
Losing out on Cannon was undoubtedly a blow for Sunderland. A proven Championship striker could have been the final piece of the puzzle for their promotion push, and many fans were disappointed that the club was unable to get the deal over the line. Given their willingness to invest in Le Fee, it seemed logical that they would do the same for a striker, yet they ultimately fell short in this area. Instead, the club secured the permanent signing of Wilson Isidor from Zenit for £5 million.
While Isidor is an exciting prospect, his arrival has perhaps not been praised as much as it should have been. The French forward possesses pace, power, and an eye for goal, and his versatility allows him to play across the front line. He certainly has the potential to be a valuable addition to the squad, but there is some uncertainty over whether he can make an immediate impact. Unlike Cannon, who has already adapted to English football, Isidor may take time to adjust to the Championship’s physical demands. His success or failure could play a crucial role in determining whether Sunderland’s January business is ultimately viewed as a success.
On deadline day, Sunderland added Jayden Danns on loan from Liverpool. The 18-year-old forward is highly rated, but he is still very inexperienced at the senior level. While Danns could prove to be a useful squad player, he is unlikely to be a game-changer in the promotion race. This signing reinforced the feeling that Sunderland, despite making some positive moves, may have left themselves slightly short in the attacking department.
Marco Gabbiadini’s Take on Sunderland’s Window
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has shared his thoughts on the club’s January business, offering a balanced view on what was ultimately a good but not exceptional window. Speaking on Total Sport, Gabbiadini acknowledged the quality of the Le Fee signing but expressed some disappointment that Sunderland didn’t push the boat out further after that deal was completed.
“There weren’t too many surprises. They didn’t particularly push the boat out. Enzo Le Fee is a good signing. I thought it was quite an impactful signing that one, because of the fee involved and the agreement to pay the fee if we got promoted. I thought maybe it would be followed up with some more, and it wasn’t really. A loan at the end [Danns], so is that a disappointment? I don’t know if I’m disappointed, it would’ve just made it a little bit easier for the head coach.”
Gabbiadini’s remarks highlight an important point—while Sunderland’s window was productive, it didn’t quite match the expectations set by the early Le Fee signing. Once that deal was completed, many assumed the club would go all out in the market, particularly in the striker position. Instead, they ended up missing out on Cannon and settling for a promising but unproven Isidor as their main attacking reinforcement.
Did Sunderland Do Enough?
The real test of Sunderland’s January business will come in the final months of the season. If they secure automatic promotion or make a successful playoff run, then the Le Fee signing will be seen as a game-changing move, and Isidor could prove to be an inspired addition. However, if they fall short, there may be some regret that they didn’t push harder for another proven goal scorer.
The Championship is an unforgiving league, and fine margins often make the difference between success and failure. Sunderland have built a squad capable of challenging for promotion, but whether they have done enough to get over the line remains to be seen. The decision not to invest more heavily in a striker could prove costly if they struggle for goals in the coming months.
One thing is certain—this Sunderland squad is stronger than it was at the start of January, and they now have a player in Enzo Le Fee who could be a game-changer in their push for the Premier League. But whether their business was enough to secure promotion will only become clear in the weeks ahead.