ROBIN ROEFS
Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
He only turned 23 in January, but Sunderland’s number one has rapidly established himself as one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in Europe since joining the Black Cats from NEC Nijmegen last summer.
His shot-stopping abilities are superb, and were a key factor in Sunderland’s successful season, but if anything, his confidence, assurance and command of his 18-yard box are even more impressive, enabling him to immediately look at home in English football.
DEFENDERS
NORDI MUKIELE
Sunderland's Nordi Mukiele (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
He can play at centre-half or right-back, but it is in the latter position where Mukiele has really shone this season, making the €12m that Sunderland shelled out to sign him from Paris St Germain last summer one of the great all-time bargains.
His strength and athleticism have resulted in a series of excellent defensive displays, his long-throwing abilities have been a key element of Sunderland’s attacking arsenal, and his willingness to maraud forward has helped him contribute three goals and three assists this term.
LUKE AYLING
Middlesbrough's Luke Ayling (Image: Tom Banks)
He might not be a marauding right-back anymore, but Ayling remains one of the best defenders in the Football League. Whether playing at centre-half or as part of a back three, the 34-year-old was crucial for Boro.
His leadership qualities shone through amid the chaos of the end of the season, and he remains as effective as ever when dealing with Championship attackers. No wonder Boro were desperate to tie him down to a new deal.
DAN BALLARD
Sunderland's Dan Ballard (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
One of the heroes of last season’s promotion success, Ballard has also been a key factor in Sunderland’s successful first season back in the top-flight.
The centre-half has kicked on again in the top-flight, repeatedly catching the eye with his dominant defensive displays against some of the world’s best attackers. He finished the season having made 24 league starts and has formed an excellent central-defensive partnership with Omar Alderete.
LEWIS HALL
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
He might have missed out on the World Cup squad, but Hall still had an excellent domestic season with Newcastle, confirming his status as one of the country’s leading left-backs.
His defensive play has improved since he joined the Magpies from Chelsea, but it is his athletic forward running that is the real high point of his game, enabling Newcastle to launch attacks down their left-hand side.
MIDFIELDERS
HAYDEN HACKNEY
Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney (Image: Andy Commins)
The Championship’s Player of the Season was a massive loss in the final two months of Middlesbrough’s campaign. Had Hackney stayed fit, perhaps Boro would have made it to the Premier League.
The Redcar-born midfielder was brilliant before he got injured, driving Boro forward, scoring crucial goals and acting as the midfield fulcrum of the free-flowing, front-foot playing style Hellberg introduced at the Riverside.
GRANIT XHAKA
Sunderland's Granit Xhaka (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
The North-East Player of the Year by a country mile – and the best signing made by any Premier League club last summer. Sunderland’s greatest-ever signing? Quite possibly.
Off the pitch, Xhaka was Sunderland’s leader, setting standards, inspiring his team-mates and convincing everyone the Black Cats belonged in the top-flight. On it, the 33-year-old was arguably better than ever – one of the world’s best midfielders playing in red-and-white.
BRUNO GUIMARAES
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Sometimes, you only appreciate what you’ve got when it’s gone. The minute Guimaraes was missing from Newcastle’s starting side, performances nosedived and results tailed off.
In a difficult season on Tyneside, the Magpies’ Brazilian skipper remained the heartbeat of the team. His nine Premier League goals made him Newcastle’s leading scorer, but his drive, energy and ferocious will to win were even more important.
FORWARDS
TRAI HUME
Sunderland's Trai Hume (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
Right-back or right-sided attacker? The longer the season went on, the more the Northern Ireland international morphed into the latter. Wherever he played though, he delivered exactly what Regis Le Bris asked of him.
Hume epitomises what Sunderland are best at – physical, aggressive, dynamic, effective. It was fitting that it was his final-day goal that sparked the win over Chelsea that secured a place in Europe.
BRIAN BROBBEY
Sunderland's Brian Brobbey (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
It look Brobbey a little while to settle into life at Sunderland, indeed it was early December before he made his first Premier League start following his summer move from Ajax.
Once he forced his way into the team, though, there was no looking back. He finished the season with seven league goals, and defenders simply couldn’t handle him. His derby display against Newcastle was the best individual performance delivered by a North-East player all season.
ENZO LE FEE
Sunderland's Enzo Le Fee (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
He’s better in a central-midfield role than on the left, but wherever Le Fee has played this season, he has lit up Sunderland’s attacking play.
In a team of warriors, Le Fee is the magician. Yes, he can defend, with his work-rate and willingness to track back now key parts of his game. Give him the ball, though, and the Frenchman makes things happen. What a signing he has proved to be.
SUBSTITUTES:
Sol Brynn, Malick Thiaw, Adilson Malanda, Noah Sadiki, Aidan Morris, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Whittaker.