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Anthony Gair says…Enzo Le Fée
I’ll go with the easy one: I think we’re currently watching the greatest set of technical footballers ever to set foot inside Sunderland’s stadium.
Saying that, Le Fée is by far and away the greatest technical footballer I reckon I’ll see play in red and white in my lifetime. In a world where we have Granit Xhaka and Nordi Mukiele in the side, Le Fée has eclipsed them with his technical ability and continues to surprise me every time he plays.
His ability to control the ball is special; the way he finds room in tight spaces is different class, the passes he finds gaps for are ridiculous and his skill is sublime.
I can’t believe he turns out for us, and I’ll continue to watch him in pure awe every time he does!
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Enzo Le Fee of Sunderland runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Fulham at Stadium of Light on February 22, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Enzo Le Fee of Sunderland runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Fulham at Stadium of Light on February 22, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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Ciaran McKenna says…Patrick Roberts
Maybe not the most prolific of goalscorers, but his command of the football made up for it.
He was mesmerising to watch at times — like he had the ball on a string. His reliance on his left foot may have led to some viewing him as something of a ‘one trick pony’, but if you’re so brilliant at that one trick, where’s the harm?
Every time he got the ball, I sat up in my chair and prepared for him to slalom his way into the opposition box. His eye for a pass didn’t hurt either, regularly slipping the ball through the eye of a needle and onto a plate for a teammate. His assist for Eliezer Mayenda’s goal in the playoff final is the perfect example — top class.
His best time in a Sunderland shirt came with the arrival of Amad, another player whom I was close to choosing. The two were simpatico, forming a terrific bond.
I absolutely loved watching Roberts play and his technical excellence was the main reason I was so gutted to see him leave permanently in January. Definitely one of my Sunderland heroes, and my choice for the most technically gifted player.
Ian Bendelow says…Niall Quinn
Not just the fact he controlled the ball so smoothly you’d think he was a walking Galaxy chocolate advert, but also because everything he did had a purpose.
He plucked the ball out of the air like a pampered Greek Goddess eating grapes straight from the vine and was quite simply someone who barely put a foot wrong in red and white.
His ability to use and distribute the ball was second to none, and it was this fact which made his partnership with Kevin Phillips so fruitful. He just knew where his partner in crime was going to be, and found him with such regularity you’d think their understanding was telepathic.
They were two sides of the same coin and this all came from Quinny’s understanding of his unique physique, and his ability to play perfectly to his strengths — which helpfully revolved around both his head and his feet. I have no doubt that a young Peter Crouch will have studied videos of the way the big man played, because he was quite simply superb.
In fact, the only time he did get his feet in a tangle ironically led to one of the all-time iconic Sunderland AFC moments: Thomas Sorensen’s penalty save against the visitors in 2000!
Niall Quinn, Sunderland (Photo by Neal Simpson/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Niall Quinn, Sunderland (Photo by Neal Simpson/EMPICS via Getty Images)
PA Images via Getty Images
John Wilson says…Martin Smith
There have been many technically gifted players that have pulled on the famous red and white stripes but when asked to name someone at the top of the list, the name that entered my head was a certain Martin Smith.
He was dubbed the ‘son of Pele’ for a reason. What a player! Silky smooth movements and I don’t think there was anything he couldn’t do with a football. He was one of those players that when he got the ball, the crowd’s interest and expectation would rise, as you knew that something brilliant (sometimes!) was about to happen.
What makes this choice extra special is that he was a local lad from Monkwearmouth.
He made his debut in 1993 and but for injuries, should’ve made many more appearances than he did for us. Peter Reid still talks about Smithy’s free kick that helped to keep us up in Reidy’s first season. He was a true talent, but unfortunately, he didn’t go on to achieve his full potential.