All eyes were on Enzo Le Fee as he made his highly-anticipated Sunderland debut during Friday’s Championship clash against Burnley, which ended goalless at Turf Moor.
Sunderland got their first January signing over the line ahead of the FA Cup clash against Stoke City, prior to the Burnley game, bringing in Enzo Le Fee on loan from Roma in a signing that took the whole Championship by surprise.
The Black Cats have got Le Fee, 24, on loan for the remainder of the season and if they earn promotion then they’ll have to smash their transfer record and sign him for £20million. It’s also reported that Sunderland are paying Le Fee’s Roma wages, thought to be around £69,000-a-week.
On Friday night, Le Fee started on the left of an attacking midfield three for Sunderland. Regis Le Bris’ side fought well against promotion rivals Burnley but drew the game 0-0, with Wilson Isidor missing twice from the spot.
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Sunderland fans think Enzo Le Fee should be playing central
It was clear from the off that Le Fee is a player that with bit of star quality: his first touch, his passing and his composure on the ball is that of a player who’s played at a very high level.
But it was also clear among Sunderland fans that Le Fee is somewhat wasted on the left. Fans described him as ‘classy’ and ‘very impressive’ on X, but the main theme was with regards to his position on the night.
“I can see just off 45 minutes there that Le Fee should be more central, he will cause these problems,” said one Sunderland fan. Another added: “Playing Le Fee on the left is mental. All eyes on him with everyone saying he’s the best player in the Championship. He [Le Bris] plays him out of position. Swap him and Rigg.”
Others weighed in, as one supporter posted: “You can see le Fee has an eye for a pass as well but his options are limited from the left wing.” A similar comment read: “Enzo Le Fee looks quality on the ball, shouldn’t be playing out on the left though.”
“Le Fee tidy on the left, but he doesn’t look like the kind of player who will beat his man,” was another comment.
Enzo Le Fee’s stats on Sunderland debut vs Burnley
On the night, Le Fee recorded the second most touches of any Sunderland player (68, behind Luke O’Nien on 77).
Le Fee then made the fourth most accurate passes of any of his teammates (34, with a pass accuracy of 85%), with one key pass, two out of two long balls completed, and one out of three cross completed.
And the Sunderland new boy also chipped with the fourth most defensive actions of any Sunderland man at Turf Moor. Le Fee made three interceptions and two tackles against the Clarets.