Enzo Le Fée has been a crucial player in Sunderland’s successful first campaign back at Premier League level

Luke O'Nien has paid tribute to Sunderland team mate Enzo Le Fée after the midfielder's starring role in the comeback win over Everton last weekend.

The pair have struck up a strong bond since Le Fée joined initially on loan from AS Roma last January, and were influential figures as Sunderland came from behind to win 3-1 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to keep their hopes of European qualification very much alive. Le Fée's assist and goal means he now has 12 goal contributions in the Premier League this season, a crucial part of Sunderland's success and in excellent form since moving back into his preferred central midfield role. O'Nien says he has been as impressive off the pitch as on it since arriving.

"He's so good, I've said that since the day he joined," O'Nien said.

"The cool thing about that, people said in the changing room, listen, 'well played, you've done really well', and I get to train with someone like him every single day. And I'm up against Bri [Brobbey] because it's the starters versus the non-starters: How can I not get better as a player and a human?

"I think I always say Enzo was the catalyst for all of this, he was the first player that trusted us as a Championship club he's been a big catalyst for what we're doing today. He's unbelievably humble, he works really, really hard and it's good that he's getting the numbers today because he could have had a few more assists this season with the passes he has made.

"It has felt surreal [having him here], especially last season," O'Nien added.

"I think everybody knew how good he was and that he was destined for the Premier League. That fellow is going to achieve a lot more, hopefully, with this club. I've always been grateful for Enzo coming to this club not just as a player, he's an even better human than he is a footballer believe it or not. How good he is as a footballer, he's even better as a human being. He's teaching me, he's teaching the group, and leading us to where we are. We're going to keep getting better as a group."

O’Nien is likely to be named in the starting XI for Chelsea’s visit on Sunday should Omar Alderete fail to recover in time from an injury.

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Enzo Le Fée reacts to Everton comeback win and previews Chelsea clash

“Our strength is to be together in the good moments and the bad ones as well,” Le Fée said after the 3-1 win at Everton.

“What we did all season is always react in a good way and we did it after the first half today. We can be proud of us. At the beginning of the season we said we have to be a family and a team.

“We want the best for this team always and we did well. We should be in a better position today because we had some games we should win as well but it wasn't the case. We can be proud, we keep working hard as we have all season with one more final to play at home against Chelsea. A good game to finish the season."

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