Sunderland star Enzo Le Fee has been one of the club’s standout performers this season, and was excellent against Manchester United last time out, in his favoured central midfield role.
Sunderland maestro Enzo Le Fee has been in inspired form throughout the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, despite often being played in an unfavourable position.
After arriving initially on loan from Italian giants Roma in January 2025, with the deal made permanent upon Sunderland’s promotion in which the Frenchman was pivotal too, Le Fee has cemented as one of the Black Cats’ best technical talents.
In spite of being played mostly on the left-flank by Regis Le Bris, his former Lorient prodigy has been imperative for Sunderland once again this season, notching five assists in the Premier League as the club’s second-highest goal creator behind skipper Granit Xhaka.
Against Manchester United on Saturday, Le Fee started in midfield alongside Xhaka and Noah Sadiki, and he was Sunderland’s brightest creative spark throughout the goalless stalemate.
As a result, Sunderland fans want to see Le Fee continue in central midfield rather than out wide where his playmaking prowess is more prominent, and the Frenchman agrees.
Le Fee tells Le Bris to play him in Sunderland’s midfield
In his favoured number ten role, the 26-year-old was a consistent headache for United’s defence and midfield to contend with, and another afternoon Le Fee could have easily had atleast two assists.
During the first-half, he slipped Sadiki through with a beautifully weighted pass after some brilliant play in midfield, but Senne Lammens stood strong to ensure the deadlock remained.
In the second 45’, Le Fee was once again at his inventive best, sliding Brian Brobbey through before Lammens was forced to produce another crucial stop.
With £30m summer signing Habib Diarra failing to flatter as the third component of Le Bris’ central midfield, there is clamour from the Wearside faithful to see Le Fee continue in that role for the trip to Everton and the final-day visit of Chelsea.
Interestingly, Le Fee himself has sent a clear message that would coincide with those sentiments from the Sunderland supporters, telling his head coach Le Bris that the number ten role allows “the real Enzo” to influence the game.
When asked by the Sunderland Echo about playing centrally, Le Fee said: “(I enjoy it) “A lot. This is my position. I’m a guy who is going to be better and better if he touches the ball.
"On the left, it’s a bit difficult, but when I play in the middle, I have this freedom as well. I can be everywhere to touch the ball and create chances. I enjoy it a lot.”
He added: “I’m really happy. To be honest, I’m really happy.
"Even if I try to do my best on the left, I think we can see the real Enzo in the middle.
“But like I said, it’s not my choice, and I will never complain. I don’t forget that the first two games I started on the bench. I know it’s really difficult to start on the bench. I’m always happy to be in the 11, and even if I’m on the left, I will try to do the job.”
Le Fee has earned run of games as Sunderland’s number ten
Credit to the Frenchman’s team-first attitude, he has never put his own desires to play in central midfield over the needs of Le Bris and the team, even in the Championship.
Last season, amid the injuries to Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle shortly after his arrival, Le Fee still managed to dazzle on the left-wing and particularly gave Luke Ayling at Middlesbrough a torrid time in the 3-2 win at Boro.
In the ensuing top flight campaign, Le Fee has prominently been once again asked by his former Lorient manager to operate on the left, and has performed impeccably throughout.
However, his performance against third-placed United was a clear message to Le Bris, that his creative flair and playmaking ability now make him seemingly undroppable from that role.
Sunderland fans would agree that Le Fee is the club’s most-gifted player from a technical quality perspective, one who gets the fans on the edge of their seats with his intricacy and dynamism, and also aided with the Black Cats’ much-needed chance creation .
Therefore, it would be extremely frustrating to see Le Bris’ compatriot return to the left-flank for Sunday’s trip to the Toffees, as Le Fee has proven the damage he can cause Premier League opponents when operating in his favoured position.