The recipient was Enzo Le Fee.
How, read the message, was the midfielder finding life in Rome?
Considering the Frenchman was struggling for game-time, his response wasn’t overly positive.
A phone call would soon follow. And the first steps in what is looking like being a game-changer of a January transfer had been taken.
Le Fee scored his first Sunderland goal this week, setting the Black Cats on their way to a crucial win over Luton Town. And how crucial the midfielder looks like being in the promotion run-in. He’s quickly and impressively established himself in Sunderland’s starting XI and has had no problem whatsoever living up to the hype since reuniting with Le Bris.
“He called me to speak about the project in Sunderland,” revealed Le Fee this week, reflecting on how his January move to the Black Cats had come about.
“I liked the project so he just showed that it’s a good project for me. He didn’t need to speak a lot as well because it’s him. I’ve known him for a few years. I wanted to come to Sunderland. I spoke with my agent. I told him to let the other club go to Sunderland. So, now I’m here.”
And he looks to be enjoying himself?
“100 per cent,” he says.
“When I came here, I wanted to play football to find myself again. For me, it’s the perfect project. I’m in a very good team and I can help the team as well.
“I enjoy it. I’m here because I want to get promoted with Sunderland, because for me, Sunderland has to be in the Premier League and not in the Championship. So, I’m here to help the team.”
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Le Fee admits he didn’t know an awful lot about Sunderland before his move but that soon changed, with the help, unsurprisingly, of a Netflix binge.
“I didn’t know the series on Netflix, but on my first day here, I watched it,” he said.
“I can feel the emotion of the fans. Of course, I know Sunderland is a famous club in England. It’s a pleasure for me to wear the jersey. I’m enjoying my life.
“The fans are crazy. I’ve seen it on my first day. When I came, I received a lot of messages and it made me feel like I’m at home. Since my first day. I’m very happy to help the team and I can make the public happy as well. I want to make the supporters happy also because of their support. I want to give them more and give emotion to the fans.”
What, then, about the future, both short and long-term?
The immediate focus is the mouthwatering trip to Leeds United on Monday.
“Every player wants to play in such a big game,” he said.
“If we want to be on the top, we have to prepare for this game. We have to go to Leeds for a win. We will prepare for the win.”
Le Fee looks every inch a Premier League player and his loan move will be made permanent should the Black Cats get over the line this season.
“If we get promotion, for sure,” he said, quizzed on his future and whether he wants to stay on Wearside.
“I’m here for that. I work for that as well. Everybody is working for that.”
