{"id":261534,"date":"2026-09-08T07:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T07:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/08\/better-than-le-fee-sunderland-man-is-their-most-exciting-star-since-clarke\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T07:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T07:10:11","slug":"better-than-le-fee-sunderland-man-is-their-most-exciting-star-since-clarke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/08\/better-than-le-fee-sunderland-man-is-their-most-exciting-star-since-clarke\/","title":{"rendered":"Better than Le Fee: Sunderland man is their most exciting star since Clarke"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sunderland<\/a> have had a solid start to their second season back in the Premier League<\/a> after a win, a draw, and a loss in the opening three matches.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Black Cats held Brentford to a 1-1 draw away from home in the division last weekend, thanks to Enzo Le Fee scoring from the penalty spot late on after Vitaly Janelt had given the hosts the lead. <\/p>\n

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\n
\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/David Klein<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

He has been the club’s most productive attacking outlet since the start of the 2025\/26 campaign for Regis Le Bris<\/a>‘ side, racking up seven goals and six assists in all competitions.<\/p>\n

The French attacking midfielder scored five goals, created 13 ‘big chances’, and provided six assists in 36 appearances in the Premier League last term.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why Enzo Le Fee needs support at Sunderland<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

As impressive as Le Fee has been, the Frenchman has been part of an attack that is yet to reach the level of the other teams competing at the top end of the table.<\/p>\n

The Black Cats have yet to score multiple goals in a game this season, scoring once in each of their three league outings, and have not scored twice in a match since their 2-1 win over Chelsea at the end of the 2025\/26 campaign.<\/p>\n

Despite finishing seventh, Sunderland did not have an outstanding attacking unit last season. In fact, they ranked 18th for xG (38.9) and 17th for goals scored (42) on their way to qualifying for the Europa League.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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25\/26 Premier League<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Sunderland<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Rank<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Goals per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17th<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

xG<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

38.9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

18th<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Big chances<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

64<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17th<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Big chances missed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

42<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16th<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Accurate crosses<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

19th<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

xG conceded<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

54.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12th<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Goals conceded per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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4th<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

They ranked highly in defensive statistics, rarely conceding goals, but they were among the worst teams in the league for creating chances and scoring goals, which shows where they need to improve to take the team to the next level.<\/p>\n

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\"Sunderland\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Scott Heppell<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Last season, Sunderland lacked a consistent winger who could provide an exciting threat as a scorer and a creator, as they once had with Jack Clarke, who scored 28 goals and provided 23 assists during his time at the Stadium of Light.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Sunderland may have found their most exciting talent since Jack Clarke<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

The start to the current campaign, though, suggests that the Black Cats may have unearthed their most exciting talent since they had Clarke on the books on Wearside.<\/p>\n

In Clarke’s last season with the club, he excited supporters on a regular basis with 15 goals and four assists in 40 matches in the Championship.<\/p>\n

Le Fee has been a brilliant player for the club, particularly in the Premier League, but he is not a traditionally exciting player who drives at players with the ball, averaging 0.4 completed dribbles per game in the division last term.<\/p>\n

Nilson Angulo, signed from Anderlecht for a fee of around \u00a317m in February, is that kind of player as a natural winger who looks to commit defenders and progress the play for his side at every opportunity.<\/p>\n