How did Enzo Le Fée fare during his first Sunderland game?

Today at 01:00 AM

The French midfielder made his Lads debut during Friday's lively draw with Burnley, almost setting up a goal for Wilson Isidor. What did our writers make of his performance?

John Wilson says…

When Amad joined on loan in 2022, he had to slowly make his mark in the team.

His initial appearances showed glimpses of class, but he was easily knocked off the ball and caught in possession too often. We all know what eventually happened, and even when he returned to Manchester United, it took him a few weeks to be trusted by his parent club.

Much was expected of Le Fée when he came straight into the team on Friday night, and I thought he was slightly on a hiding to nothing.

After all, it was his first appearance in England, with a new team and in strange surroundings, but I was very encouraged by what I saw as he was strong on the ball and not easily shrugged off. He was also able to get his legs and body around an opponent to snatch the ball away, so his physical strength was there to be seen.

It was also obvious that he has two very good feet.

Ignoring the fact that all professionals should have two good feet, as we know they haven't, but he looks an almost natural two-footed player and his passing, both short and long, was almost always accurate.

I think I spotted one or two slack passes towards the end when I think most of us were expecting him to be subbed off, and for me, his best 'trick' was his ability to switch the direction of play with a slick pass that went in a different direction to what was generally expected.

He has a good engine, he tracked back well and he's obviously already forged friendships with many of his teammates.

Compared to Amad's early showing, Le Fée is already way ahead and if he can continue on this trajectory, we have some player on our hands- one who has a close relationship with Régis Le Bris and knows his philosophy and tactics.

To highlight this further, I think it was apparent (and Le Bris said as much in his post-match interviews) that playing on the left isn't Le Fée's best position, yet he performed admirably there, partly to enable Sunderland to include Chris Rigg, Jobe and Dan Neil in central positions.

Moving into a central role will enable Le Fée to be more lethal with his strength, nous and ability to pick a pass or shoot, and I'm looking forward to seeing him progress and develop further for the rest of the season.

Finding a house and settling into his new environment will see him enjoy his football more and to start pulling the strings, but the early signs are very promising and very exciting.

Malc Dugdale says…

I have to say I was quite surprised that he got a start, especially given how Adil Aouchiche and Milan Aleksić have done of late, but you could see from his first touches he was ready to go.

The fact he played the whole game speaks volumes for his general fitness level, which will only get even better with time out on the paddock.

I believe he's had limited playing time due to injuries and maybe falling out of favour at Roma, and he did tire a little later on, but if that's his level of fitness on game one, I shudder to think how he can be over time.

His vision and passing was pretty special, and that'll only improve as he gels with the team and fully adjusts to how Régis Le Bris asks this side to play.

Despite being a very talented player and arguably better than the level we're at right now, I was really chuffed to see he carried himself in a way that suggested he didn't expect any special treatment. There was no 'prima donna' air at all, and he worked hard and got stuck in, which is the Sunderland way.

The fact he's a bit of a dead ball specialist but supported Wilson Isidor with his penalty efforts rather than suggesting he takes the spot kicks himself showed he's likely to fit in very well and will be a gifted team player, rather than someone who maybe sees himself as superior to the rest of the lads.

I'm very excited to see him develop and integrate into the team, and if we can get him a bit more central, I think his contributions can really ramp up.

By the time we get to the business end of the season, he could be a huge asset and a real game changer. I can't wait to watch his Sunderland career progress, and I feel a bit sorry for some of the sides who have to face him and our team as a whole across the next few months.

Welcome, Enzo. A very good bow and the future is very exciting, for sure.