admin‘I don’t see myself leaving England’ – Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fée commits future to the Premier League
Sunderland playmaker Enzo Le Fée has opened up in an extensive interview with L’Equipe about his journey in English football and the personal and professional growth he has experienced since arriving on Wearside.
Now 25, the attacking midfielder has become a key figure at the Stadium of Light, and his reflections offer a revealing insight into why his move to Sunderland has proven to be such a success.
A product of FC Lorient’s highly regarded academy, Le Fée built his reputation in France as a technically gifted and intelligent midfielder before taking a leap of faith to AS Roma.
However, his spell in Italy was short-lived. After just six months with the Giallorossi, Le Fée began to question whether Serie A was the right environment for him.
Speaking candidly, he admitted that the Italian league never truly suited his style of play.
He described it as overly tactical, with teams often sitting in rigid shapes and prioritising structure over spontaneity, which, in his view, reduced the overall excitement of the game.
Compounding his frustration was the departure of Daniele De Rossi, the coach who had personally persuaded him to join Roma. De Rossi’s early dismissal left Le Fée feeling unsettled, and without the managerial backing that had been central to his decision to move to Italy in the first place, he soon began to look elsewhere for a fresh start.
That opportunity arrived in the form of Sunderland, who were then competing in the Championship. Le Fée initially joined the Black Cats on loan, but it did not take long for him to make a strong impression.
His technical quality, vision, and relentless work rate quickly endeared him to supporters, even in a league renowned for its physical demands. Despite not being the biggest player on the pitch, Le Fée has never viewed his stature as a disadvantage.
On the contrary, he believes his intensity gives him an edge. He explained that in individual battles, commitment and sharpness often outweigh size, arguing that if a stronger opponent is not fully focused, he will always capitalise by giving maximum effort.
A major factor in Le Fée’s smooth adaptation to English football has been his relationship with Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris.
The two had previously worked together at Lorient, and that existing understanding played a crucial role in convincing the midfielder that Wearside was the right destination. .
Le Bris reassured him that his qualities would be best expressed in a team that does not always dominate possession, but instead looks to transition quickly and exploit spaces when the ball is regained.
That tactical vision has proven accurate. Le Fée has thrived in his role, often occupying intelligent pockets of space between the lines and linking play swiftly with Sunderland’s forwards.
He has spoken of how much he enjoys this freedom, relishing the chance to create opportunities in dynamic situations rather than being confined to slow, methodical build-up play.
Now firmly settled in England, Le Fée is under contract at Sunderland until 2029, and his comments suggest he sees his future firmly rooted in the Premier League. He remains ambitious about his development, acknowledging that there is still room for improvement in his game.
However, he also stressed that he has never felt as physically strong and well-prepared as he does now, a testament to both his own work ethic and the demands of English football.
Looking ahead, Le Fée made it clear that he has no desire to leave England anytime soon. Confident in his trajectory and content with life on Wearside, the Frenchman believes he is in the ideal environment to continue growing as a player, while helping Sunderland establish themselves at the highest level for years to come.
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