'Next Season': Enzo Le Fee Opens Up On Exciting Sunderland Europa League Aim

Sunderland playmaker Enzo Le Fée has said he and his Black Cats teammates are desperate to make Europa League football a regular fixture at the Stadium of Light, rather than a one-season wonder.

Last season, Le Fee played a pivotal role as the creative catalyst in Regis Le Bris' midfield to help Sunderland finish seventh and qualify for European football for the first time in over five decades, and the Frenchman has continued that rich vein of form into the 2026/27 campaign.

In September, the Sunderland midfielder won and converted the penalty, which saw the Black Cats beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 on a historic night at the Stadium of Light, getting their European voyage off to a commendable start against the Eredivisie leaders.

Following the international break, Sunderland face a difficult and demanding run of nine fixtures before the next national break in November, with further tests on European soil awaiting Le Bris' squad.

As a result of the testing run ahead, Sunderland will need to maintain solid form in both the Premier League and Europa League to fulfil the Frenchman's desire to ensure that European football is not a one-off for the Black Cats this season.

Le Fee said: "It means a lot to me because when I came here I had been playing in the Europa League and we were in the Championship, so this competition was far.

"After one season and a half, we came back here and with the history of the club, it's just amazing.

"Of course, the Premier League is also very important, so we have to work for both, but it shows the ambition of the club because now we've got a really good team, really good, talented players, and everyone can start in both competitions. That's what we need to be competitive."

Against Alkmaar, Le Bris' side played out an impressive and unified performance against the technically excellent Dutch outfit, but it was Le Fee's display in the heart of midfield which turned the scales in Sunderland's favour.

In the 1-0 win, Le Fee created the joint-most chances (four) of any player on the field, won and converted the winning penalty, and had the most touches (eight) of any player in their opposition's box in a stunning display of his creative prowess.

If Le Fee, who penned a new long-term Sunderland contract during the international break, continues at the level he showed at the start of the season for the rest of the campaign, the Black Cats will have a strong chance of bringing European football back to the Stadium of Light next season.

As a result of his outstanding and consistent performances for the Black Cats, the former Roma midfielder has established himself as one of the standout senior members of the Sunderland squad, and he is hoping to lead by example on course for the European qualification mission this season.

Le Fee added: "I'm getting a bit old in this squad now! I've got a lot of experience, so I can bring this to the team.

"We are a young team, but we have six or seven guys who can help everyone with their experience, and I'm part of that.

"I think the way I can help is just to show everyone how important it is to enjoy playing football. When you enjoy something, then you can be really good. If you're not, it can be really difficult."

Sunderland return to action on Saturday in the Premier League at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, before journeying to Portuguese second division outfit SCU Torreense in the Europa League and then Bournemouth in the top flight, all in the space of eight days.

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