admin🦄✨ ‘NO WAY’ — French Journalist Makes Ruthless Enzo Le Fée International Claim After Sunderland Rise ✨🇫🇷⚽
French football expert Pierre-Etienne Minonzio of L’Équipe has given a frank assessment of Sunderland star Enzo Le Fée’s chances of breaking into the France national team, suggesting that the midfielder faces a steep climb despite his impressive displays in the Premier League.
Le Fée, 25, joined Sunderland permanently from Roma earlier this year for £19 million, following a successful loan spell that helped the Black Cats secure promotion back to the Premier League.
Since then, the former Rennes and Lorient midfielder has quickly won over fans with his technical quality, composure on the ball, and creative influence under manager Régis Le Bris.
However, speaking to The Echo, Minonzio stressed that Le Fée’s international ambitions may be difficult to realise given the wealth of midfield talent available to Didier Deschamps.
“To be clear about Enzo Le Fée – he’s a midfielder,” Minonzio explained. “If you want to play as a number six for France, you’re competing with Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Kone, Khephren Thuram, Rabiot, and Kamara from Aston Villa.
Kamara has proven himself more at this stage, and even he isn’t regularly called up. So it’s really not easy.”
Le Fée, who has represented France at U20, U21, and Olympic level, has shown his versatility at Sunderland – capable of dictating play from deep or pushing forward into a number ten role.
Yet, according to Minonzio, the attacking midfield positions are just as fiercely contested.
“If you see him as a number ten, he’s still behind players like Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, and Rayan Cherki,” he added. “There’s no doubt he’s talented – incredibly so – but I just don’t see a way for him to make the senior squad right now.”
Despite the daunting competition, Le Fée’s arrival has been a major boost for Sunderland.
Operating often from the left or in central midfield, his intelligence and tactical awareness have made him a key figure in Le Bris’ possession-based approach, helping the newly promoted side find stability in their return to the Premier League.
A graduate of Lorient’s academy, Le Fée made 135 appearances for his hometown club before spells with Rennes and Roma.
His rise through Ligue 1, Serie A, and now the Premier League highlights his adaptability and footballing maturity.
While France’s midfield depth remains world-class, Le Fée’s continued development in England could yet narrow the gap between Sunderland and the international stage — even if a senior call-up seems out of reach for now.
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