Regis Le Bris' hard-to-believe message on Enzo Le Fee after win at Middlesbrough
HE might have been the standout player in Sunderland’s 3-2 win at Middlesbrough, but Regis Le Bris remains convinced there is still a lot more to come from Enzo Le Fee.
The French midfielder was Sunderland’s star man as they closed back to within three points of the automatic-promotion places with a win at the Riverside, producing his own personal highlights reel from his position on the left-hand side.
Le Fee ran Luke Ayling ragged with his flicks and tricks, with his best moment coming in the closing stages as he set up Sunderland’s winner. Controlling Luke O’Nien’s pass out wide with a sensational first touch, Le Fee darted down the touchline before drilling the ball across the 18-yard box, with Ryan Giles stabbing into his own goal.
Le Fee has already become a cult hero amongst the Sunderland fans, with his own songbook, but having worked with the 25-year-old at Lorient, Le Bris still does not think the midfielder is operating at his peak levels.
“I expect more from him still, because he is so talented,” said the Sunderland boss. “He could play at the best level, Premier League or something else.
“There is more to come, I'm sure. He is a good team-mate, very connected with the collective way of playing. He can help younger players around him to find the right tempo, the right rhythm.
“"Enzo was very important, and you need good players in the game. He's well connected with his team-mates, so now we can find a greater relationship with Dennis (Cirkin), Jobe (Bellingham), Wilson (Isidor).
READ MORE:
“I think the extra week of training has been very beneficial for him. You can see that he is more connected.”
Le Fee’s 87th-minute dribble and cross settled a game that had ebbed and flowed throughout.
Sunderland had to ride out a rough start, with Middlesbrough deservedly claiming the lead through Delano Burgzorg, but turned the game on its head through goals from Dan Neil and Wilson Isidor.
Hayden Hackney levelled for Boro in the second half, but having conceded a succession of costly late goals this season, Sunderland displayed commendable spirit as they took their turn to profit from a late strike.
“I think that Middlesbrough started very well,” said Le Bris. “They played really good football. We expected this but when you are on the pitch, you have to manage the situation.
“They played very well in the first half and we conceded many situations, I think we were lucky not to concede a second goal. We stayed in the game but we were a little bit impatient, we knew they were good in possession with the ability to pin the central corridor and play out wide, in behind, through.
“Maybe we lost our patience in this period and were sloppy on the ball. Progressively, we got back into the game but not enough for this contest, this team.
"During half-time, we spoke about the character we needed, that we needed more passion and more confidence.
“The second half was very good, I think. It was an intense game against a strong game, away from home. We had to play with passion to find that extra percent. We knew that this would make the difference.”
