When I decided to write about Enzo Le Fee earlier in the week, the intention was to laud him for his exceptional form and how he has bounced back after being left out for the Premier League opener against
West Ham.
However, this is football, and in a matter of days, our once-record signing has been receiving pelters (understandably) for his ridiculous Panenka attempt against Brentford.
Football is all about timing, and while there is arguably never a great time to take such a penalty, doing so while your team is 1-0 down away from home is ill-advised.
Nevertheless, I think it would be fair to forgive Le Fee and move on from his costly mistake, as he has plenty of credit in the bank for his displays this campaign.
Just don’t do it again, Enzo, please.
There have been many moments in the last year that I have found hard to believe, and one of those was signing the former AS Roma man on a permanent deal.
It is almost a year to the day that we signed our midfield maestro on an initial loan with an obligation to buy, hinging on promotion.
While I had not seen him play, there was sizeable hype about his ability, with those around me assuring me that Chelsea had been linked with his services, so therefore he must be elite.
Sure enough, they were spot on.
In terms of ability, it would be hard to find a more naturally gifted player to have graced the Championship. His close control and touch were up there with Adel Taraabt, Jack Grealish and Emi Buendia.
Given how ridiculous Enzo was in the second tier, the injury that thwarted his impact, and our woeful end-of-season form, I didn’t have much hope of promotion or, therefore, signing him permanently.
However, 2025 was all about miracles for Sunderland, and after a couple of godly moments in the play-offs, Le Fee became our record signing at £19.3million before Habib Diarra took that mantle.
When the deal went through, the 25-year-old and the bulk of Black Cats supporters would have assumed that his place in Regis Le Bris’ side was a formality, but then the transfer window and Noah Sadiki happened.
Indeed, there were murmurings in pre-season that Sadiki looked like a generational talent and that the gaffer would bench Le Fee in favour of the DR Congo international.
Sure enough, those murmurings came to fruition, with Regis opting for Granit Xhaka, Diarra and Sadiki in a midfield three, with Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra out wide.
That decision must have hurt Enzo, and while he could have sulked, instead, he has put his head down, adapted and reemerged stronger than ever.
Ironically, it was against the Bees in August when the former Lorient man made his mark in the Premier League, with his penalty and overall performance showcasing exactly what he is capable of.
Since then, Le Fee’s overall statistics have been encouraging, too, as the midfielder has six goal contributions and ranks in the top 15 players in the division for chances created per 90, which is more than Bruno Guimaraes, Antoine Semenyo and Bryan Mbeumo.
Of course, he has had the odd quiet game, but who hasn’t?
On his day, the 26-year-old has been majestic, whether it is picking out a key pass, making a run in behind or linking up with Brian Brobbey, he looks a natural in the top flight.
Now, the little magician has endured his latest setback, and this one will require an even bigger reaction, but I’m confident that Enzo will come back fighting.
