Dan Neil provided a midfield masterclass on Wednesday night. Yet, Enzo Le Fée was the spark that set Sunderland AFC alight.
His 13th minute strike helped his teammates circumnavigate around the potential banana skin that was Luton Town at home, ensuring the Black Cats had a solid base to build from in the game. Aside from his wonderful goal, it is his exceptional quality on the pitch that continues to catch the eye. And, so it did once more, this time – thankfully against the Hatters.
The eye test recognises Le Fée is far ahead of his opponents in respect of talent. Indeed, presumably Middlesbrough’s Luke Ayling is still in a state of distress such was the nightmare he recently endured at the hands of Sunderland’s latest loanee. The elegant first touch, the ability to produce a precision pass from nowhere, the magical tricks; they are all done with the purpose of furthering his team in the attacking sense, within Régis Le Bris’ ‘game model’.
The fact that his overall performances have the ability to entertain the Red & White faithful is simply a happy coincidence.
However, the underlying numbers behind the Roma man’s 538 minutes for Sunderland (since his January arrival) evidence this impact and reveal a more exact appraisal of his strengths. Interestingly, they also show that his defensive work is just as effective as his attacking threat…
The numbers
Whilst he finds himself being deployed in a left-wing role, which he is less familiar with, we can see that Le Fée still manages four interceptions/tackles per 90 minutes placing him in the top percentile of his peers based on qualifying players in the Championship. Such is his ability on the ball, this more dogged, defensive side of his game flies somewhat under the radar. It is not often a player in the second tier of English football possess the full package – going forward and tracking back with aplomb. The Frenchman does so, highlighting just how lucky the club is to have him, even if temporarily.
With regards to expected assists (xA) we are also able to visual from the graphic above just how much of a threat Le Fée is when compared with the best in the Championship. Once again, he is already amongst the league’s highest achievers. This is no fluke. His xA was also significantly high during his days in Ligue 1 for both Lorient and Rennes. He was third behind Messi and Neymar for chances created in the 2022/23 season. Plus, as an interesting Sunderland related example, last season Jack Clarke managed just 2.0 interceptions/tackles per 90 and only 0.10 xA, across the entirety of the campaign placing him slightly better than average in the latter category for the Championship in 2023/24.
Le Fée and Clarke are different players. Perhaps it is unfair to make comparisons. Nonetheless, even when looking at the much smaller sample size of minutes that Sunderland’s latest recruit has under his belt vs the now departed Clarke, we can clearly see tangible evidence of Le Fée’s qualities on display.
What next?
Sustaining this level will be the challenge; as it is for any player. Yet, at 25 and having left Rennes to join ‘I Giallorossi’ for a reported €23m only a few short months ago, we are clearly talking about a player who has the ability to make a difference to Sunderland’s promotion hopes. In the short term, whether that continues to be on the left-wing now the returning Romaine Mundle is fit again remains to be seen. It is likely though, that as Mundle is eased back into the starting XI, Le Fée will occupy one of the midfield three spots.
So who makes way?
That is the burning question. It does provide Le Bris with a quandary that any Head Coach should enjoy though. Looking at it dispassionately, it is perhaps Chris Rigg who should make way. His talent is undeniable and the fact that at just 17 years of age he has made as many as 28 appearances this season with four goals and an assist showcases why every top domestic and European side are scrutinising his performances closely. That said, there is a risk – as we saw with Callum Doyle and Dan Neil in League One days, as we witnessed with Jobe Bellingham last season too – of burnout. It would seem prudent, therefore, to offer Rigg some time out of the starting lineup and make his usual impact from the bench.
As such, Neil as the single pivot with Bellingham and Le Fée as the two ‘8’s’ in a 4-3-3 would seem the most sensible with the option of also utilising him as a ’10’ in a 4-4-2.
Playing more centrally, is a position that the loanee is more familiar with after all. And, presumably it was what saw a top side like Roma feel the need to splash the cash for his services last summer. His ability to ‘connect the thirds’ was lauded during his time in France. Having the option of breaking the lines from not just in and around the final third but also a first time pass from deep fits neatly into Le Bris’ system and takes advantage of the pace that the Black Cats currently enjoy in attack. Wilson Isidor has already seen the benefit of this ability as his goal against Middlesbrough demonstrated. Not only did Le Fée have the vision but also the execution to ensure Isidor had the ball exactly where he needed it, to take it into his stride and score so adeptly.
The Le Bris effect
We should of course also be thanking Régis Le Bris. Without him it is highly unlikely that a player with the qualities Le Fée possesses would be willing to drop down to the Championship. Their relationship seems special with Le Bris being almost a father figure for Le Fée during his formative years. Speaking recently with the Sunderland Echo Le Fée said:
“He (Le Bris) sent me a message about how I feel in Rome. I didn’t play a lot. He called me to speak about the project in Sunderland. I liked the project so he just showed that it’s a good project for me. He didn’t need to speak a lot as well because it’s him. I’ve known him for a few years. I wanted to come to Sunderland. I spoke with my agent. I told him to let the other club go to Sunderland. So, now I’m here.”
As Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, a Sunderland fan, recently pointed out to A Love Supreme, Le Fée’s childhood was somewhat of a troubled one.
“Born in a small village near Lorient, he grew up in a football mad household. It soon became clear he was a unique talent and was snapped up by Lorient at the age of eight. So far, so normal… but what a lot of people don’t know is that his family situation was far from ideal. His father was imprisoned on two occasions for domestic violence and drug dealing when he was growing up, and Enzo used to skip training when at Lorient to visit him in prison. Unfortunately his father then committed suicide in 2021, whilst Le Fee was still at Lorient.”
Taking nothing away from the wider recruitment team here, but the fact that Le Bris was possibly the most steady male influence in his life through this period suggests their bond is unique and likely key in Sunderland being able to strike this special deal in the January transfer window.
Automatic promotion chances
Sunderland AFC are still in with a chance of occupying one of the automatic spots once the season ends. It is perhaps an outside chance but nonetheless its entirely possible, especially if Mundle and a returning Tommy Watson can pick up where they left off. We also should remember that the Black Cats have already played Burnley and Sheffield United twice and once the Leeds United match has been played we will have played every side above us twice with 13 games remaining. We should also note that the Blades still need to play host to the league leaders and also visit Turf Moor in April.
There is plenty of twists and turns still to come, that feels certain.
Yet, simply put, for any side already blessed with attacking talent, adding a player such as Le Fée will surely help Sunderland continue to keep pace. The fact that there is positive noises to suggest Le Fée is happy on Wearside too, also indicates if he is enjoying himself away from the pitch, his football on it can continue to impress.
His underlying data is impressive. His performances on the pitch equally so. If those players returning from injury can make an impact around him and the squad’s key figures remain healthy, automatic promotion may continue to be a real chance for Sunderland, rather than simply a hope.
The fact that we are able to say this after 32 games played is a remarkable achievement in itself.
Allons-y!
Image courtesy of DanDesigns
