A 2-1 win over Chelsea secured Europa League football for Sunderland next season and was a fitting end to one of the most memorable campaigns in the club’s modern history.
Here, Phil Smith grades each and every member of the first-team squad and previews how their campaigns might impact the work that director of football Florent Ghisolfi does in the transfer market this summer.
Only players who featured in the Premier League this season and who remain contracted to the club at this stage feature.
5. Lutsharel Geertruida
One of the hardest campaigns to assess. Geertruida was an important squad player for much of the campaign, but couldn’t quite do enough to force his way into the XI on a regular basis and so almost departed in January. However, he consistently won praise from club insiders for his attitude and professionalism in what was sometimes a frustrating time for the loanee. He then finished the campaign in top form, thriving in his preferred right-back role. His central role in the scenes that greeted Sunderland’s Europa League qualification felt like a fitting reward for his persistence. Showed what a good player he is, and yet it wasn’t always plain sailing for him this year. A- | AFP via Getty Images
6. Dan Ballard
Could Ballard build on that generational run of performances in last season’s play-off campaign to become a Premier League stalwart? Yes, and then some. Ballard’s dominance in both boxes summed up why Sunderland got off to such a fast start in the Premier League and that he was able to step up to the level so comfortably is testament to how much he has improved as a player in possession over recent years. It was an exceptional campaign in which the only frustration is that injury and a very harsh suspension meant he missed a bit more football than he would have liked. A+ | Sunderland's Dan Ballard. Photo by Chris Fryatt.
7. Luke O'Nien
O’Nien had to be patient in waiting for his opportunity after recovering from his shoulder injury and his Premier League career got off to a tough start when he was sent off against Manchester City. The defender once again showed his capacity to dig deep, learn and improve to roar back in the closing months of the season. In the end he made 15 appearances and only a handful of starts, but brought intensity, energy and quality to the side when it looked as if it might be flagging. Crucially, he proved emphatically that he has a massive role to play next season in an expanded fixture schedule. Once again, you simply have to tip your hat to him. B+ | Chris Fryatt
8. Omar Alderete
An inspired signing. His performances in a defensive Getafe outfit told Sunderland he was a player who knew how to ‘suffer’, something they were always going to have to do in spells this season. The style of that Getafe side, however, masked how he can be on the ball. Though sometimes composure gave way to being a little too casual on the ball, he was a really important part of the side’s growing ability to build out under pressure. Aside from one slight dip around the turn of the year, he was brilliant. Sunderland probably need cover and competition on this side of defence this summer (Jhon Lucumi, anyone?) but he has been such a savvy addition. A+ | Sunderland's Omar Alderete. Photo by Chris Fryatt.