🚨 ZINEDINE ZIDANE’S ENZO LE FÉE COMMENTS SPARK SUNDERLAND REACTION

Zinedine Zidane has sparked a fresh wave of discussion among Sunderland supporters after addressing the decision not to include Enzo Le Fée in his first France squad.

 

Le Fée had been one of the names attracting attention ahead of Zidane’s first selection since taking charge of the French national team. The Sunderland midfielder was reportedly included in the preliminary list after his performances at club level, raising hopes that he could finally receive his first senior France call-up.

 

However, when Zidane announced his final 23-man squad, Le Fée’s name was missing.

 

That decision immediately left Sunderland supporters wondering what had happened.

 

Now, comments attributed to Zidane about the midfielder’s situation have added another layer to the story.

 

According to the comments circulating around the decision, Zidane explained:

 

«🗣️ “He was first pre-selected, but I have to make several changes in midfield; he’s having a great time at Sunderland, maybe next time.”»

 

The comments have quickly become a major talking point among Sunderland fans, particularly because the first part confirms something supporters had been hoping for: Le Fée was genuinely being considered by Zidane.

 

That alone has changed the mood surrounding the decision.

 

Rather than being completely overlooked, the Sunderland midfielder had made it far enough into Zidane’s thinking to be included in the preliminary selection.

 

And for a player who had never previously received a senior France pre-selection, that is significant.

 

The moment Sunderland fans were waiting for

 

The possibility of Le Fée receiving a France call-up had been building for several days.

 

Reports before Zidane announced his squad revealed that the 26-year-old Sunderland midfielder had been included in the extended list of players being considered.

 

That was already a major development in his international career.

 

Le Parisien reported on September 11 that Le Fée had been pre-selected by Zidane after his performances for Sunderland. The report described the selection as a reward for his good start with Régis Le Bris’ side and noted his versatility across midfield.

 

For Sunderland supporters, it was another indication that the midfielder’s performances were beginning to attract attention beyond the Premier League.

 

Le Fée had become an important part of Sunderland’s midfield, and his technical ability, movement and versatility had made him one of the players supporters increasingly relied upon.

 

So when his name appeared on the preliminary France list, expectations naturally grew.

 

Could this finally be the moment?

 

Could Sunderland have a France international in their squad?

 

The final announcement answered that question — at least for this international window.

 

Zidane’s explanation changes the conversation

 

The most important part of the latest discussion is that Le Fée was not simply ignored.

 

He had been considered.

 

Zidane ultimately made changes to his midfield and selected other options for the squad.

 

L’Équipe confirmed that Le Fée was among the midfielders who did not make Zidane’s final 23-man squad, alongside players including Mattéo Guendouzi, Boubacar Kamara and Khéphren Thuram.

 

At the same time, Zidane introduced several new faces.

 

Andy Diouf, Lucas Da Cunha, Jérémy Jacquet, Guillaume Restes and Estéban Lepaul were among the players receiving their first senior France call-up under the new manager.

 

That tells Sunderland supporters something important.

 

Zidane was not simply selecting the same group of established names.

 

He was willing to make changes.

 

He was willing to introduce new players.

 

And Le Fée was apparently close enough to the picture to be included in the preliminary group.

 

That is why the phrase “maybe next time” has caught the attention of Sunderland supporters.

 

It leaves the door open.

 

“He’s having a great time at Sunderland”

 

Perhaps the most encouraging part of the comments for Sunderland fans is the acknowledgement of Le Fée’s current situation at the club.

 

The midfielder is reportedly “having a great time at Sunderland.”

 

That is particularly important because international selection is often influenced by sustained club performances.

 

Le Fée’s move to Sunderland has given him a prominent role, and his performances have increasingly made him a player supporters look toward when Sunderland need creativity and control in midfield.

 

His recent European involvement has only added to the attention surrounding him.

 

During Sunderland’s Europa League campaign, Le Fée played a major role in the club’s historic European return. His contribution against AZ Alkmaar was particularly significant, with his penalty helping Sunderland secure a memorable result.

 

He has also been involved in major Premier League moments.

 

Against Arsenal, Le Fée had a penalty saved by David Raya during Sunderland’s 2-0 defeat. Despite the missed opportunity, his involvement underlined his importance to Sunderland’s attacking play.

 

Those moments are part of the bigger picture.

 

Le Fée is not simply sitting on the edge of the France conversation.

 

He is playing important football at Sunderland.

 

Sunderland supporters have plenty to say

 

The reaction from Sunderland supporters has understandably centred around one question:

 

If Zidane is watching him, how close is Le Fée to actually making the France squad?

 

For some supporters, the fact that he was pre-selected is almost as encouraging as the final call-up would have been.

 

It means the France manager has noticed him.

 

It means Sunderland’s performances are being watched.

 

And, most importantly, it means Le Fée may have another opportunity if he continues performing.

 

The phrase “maybe next time” has therefore taken on a life of its own among supporters.

 

For Sunderland fans, it is easy to interpret that as a challenge.

 

Keep performing.

 

Keep improving.

 

Keep forcing the manager to notice.

 

A different France midfield

 

Zidane’s first France squad shows that he is already making his own decisions.

 

L’Équipe reported that five players were called up for the first time, while several established or previously considered players were left out.

 

TF1 also reported Zidane explaining that his ideas were somewhat different from those of previous coaches and that he did not want to bring an excessive number of players only to leave them in the stands.

 

That context matters when looking at Le Fée’s omission.

 

The decision does not necessarily represent a final judgment on the Sunderland midfielder.

 

It is one selection.

 

And Zidane has already demonstrated that he is willing to change his squad.

 

For Le Fée, that means the international door remains open.

 

The Sunderland factor

 

There is another reason Sunderland supporters are paying such close attention.

 

Le Fée is becoming increasingly important to a Sunderland side that is competing on multiple fronts.

 

The club’s return to European football has increased the spotlight around its players, while strong Premier League performances can give individuals a much larger international platform.

 

Le Fée is now operating in that environment.

 

Every match gives him another opportunity to demonstrate why he deserves consideration.

 

His versatility could also work in his favour.

 

The Parisien described him as capable of playing across several midfield roles and noted that his performances for Sunderland had earned him his place on the extended France list.

 

That versatility could become particularly useful during a demanding international schedule.

 

“Maybe next time” — the words Sunderland fans will remember

 

There is a reason those final words have generated so much attention.

 

Maybe next time.

 

They do not guarantee anything.

 

They do not mean Le Fée will definitely be selected for the next France squad.

 

But they do indicate that the Sunderland midfielder has entered the conversation.

 

That is a major development.

 

A few months ago, the discussion around Le Fée and France was largely hypothetical.

 

Now there is a much more concrete story.

 

He was pre-selected.

 

He was considered by Zidane.

 

He came close to the final squad.

 

And the France manager has acknowledged that he is enjoying his football at Sunderland.

 

For supporters, that is enough to keep the conversation alive.

 

What happens next?

 

The answer is simple: Le Fée has to keep playing.

 

Sunderland have important Premier League matches ahead, alongside their Europa League commitments.

 

Every performance will provide another opportunity for the midfielder to strengthen his case.

 

There is no guarantee that a future France call-up will arrive.

 

But there is now evidence that Zidane has already noticed him.

 

And that may be the biggest takeaway from this entire episode.

 

The story is no longer about a Sunderland player hoping France might notice him someday.

 

France has already noticed.

 

The preliminary selection proved that.

 

The final omission simply means the midfielder will have to wait.

 

And now, with Zidane reportedly leaving the door open with the words “maybe next time,” Sunderland supporters have another reason to watch every Enzo Le Fée performance closely.

 

Because the next France squad could bring a completely different conversation.

 

For now, Le Fée remains a Sunderland player, focused on club football.

 

But his name has officially entered the France discussion.

 

And Sunderland fans clearly won’t be forgetting those words anytime soon:

 

“Maybe next time.”