When you reflect on the consistency Roefs has produced for Sunderland this season, it’s worth remembering that he had not been at the top of the club’s shortlist in the summer. Initially they had looked at goalkeepers with more experience in top European leagues and had been willing to spend a huge sum to get one, a reflection of how critical they thought this position to be. In the first half of the season, Roefs was right up at the top for save percentage and goals prevented - an absolutely vital part of a Sunderland side who continuously confounded the naysayers to stay well clear of the bottom three. He perhaps didn’t quite maintain that level through the second half of the campaign but remained one of the most dependable stoppers in the division. Most impressive is his unflappability in all scenarios - the sky really does look to be the limit. A+ placeholder image
When you reflect on the consistency Roefs has produced for Sunderland this season, it’s worth remembering that he had not been at the top of the club’s shortlist in the summer. Initially they had looked at goalkeepers with more experience in top European leagues and had been willing to spend a huge sum to get one, a reflection of how critical they thought this position to be. In the first half of the season, Roefs was right up at the top for save percentage and goals prevented - an absolutely vital part of a Sunderland side who continuously confounded the naysayers to stay well clear of the bottom three. He perhaps didn’t quite maintain that level through the second half of the campaign but remained one of the most dependable stoppers in the division. Most impressive is his unflappability in all scenarios - the sky really does look to be the limit. A+ | Getty Images

The Sunderland end-of-season player grades and what they tell us about the summer transfer window ahead

Phil Smith
By Phil Smith

Sunderland AFC Writer

Published 28th May 2026, 17:00 GMT

Sunderland secured a seventh-place finish and a place in the Europa League at the end of a stunning campaign

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.

Thrown in at the deep end early in the season as Sunderland built their first-choice back four and did himself real credit with his performances. A loan at Wolfsburg started well before injury intervened. Will have a big decision to make this summer. N/A

9. Jenson Seelt

Thrown in at the deep end early in the season as Sunderland built their first-choice back four and did himself real credit with his performances. A loan at Wolfsburg started well before injury intervened. Will have a big decision to make this summer. N/A | Getty Images

Photo Sales
Suspension and injury meant he did miss a fair amount of football at times but when he was fit he was one of the first names on the team sheet. Experience, speed and excellent 1-v-1 defending - he is arguably the best left back the club has ever had and one of the many reasons they never looked like being relegated this year. A

10. Renilido

Suspension and injury meant he did miss a fair amount of football at times but when he was fit he was one of the first names on the team sheet. Experience, speed and excellent 1-v-1 defending - he is arguably the best left back the club has ever had and one of the many reasons they never looked like being relegated this year. A | AFP via Getty Images

Photo Sales
Signed to add some Premier League experience, he never really featured despite playing in a big team win away at Nottingham Forest. His loan exit reflected the fact that this wasn’t a move that worked out for either part and you’d expect him to move on permanently this summer. D

11. Arthur Masuaku

Signed to add some Premier League experience, he never really featured despite playing in a big team win away at Nottingham Forest. His loan exit reflected the fact that this wasn’t a move that worked out for either part and you’d expect him to move on permanently this summer. D | Chris Fryatt

Photo Sales
It’s been another campaign where injury ultimately prevented Cirkin from competing as much as he would have liked for first-team football, but it’s also important to note that he played an important part during the AFCON period so many had feared coming into this season. He’s clearly good enough to play top-tier football regularly, but it feels as if that’s now more likely to be somewhere else. C+

12. Dennis Cirkin

It’s been another campaign where injury ultimately prevented Cirkin from competing as much as he would have liked for first-team football, but it’s also important to note that he played an important part during the AFCON period so many had feared coming into this season. He’s clearly good enough to play top-tier football regularly, but it feels as if that’s now more likely to be somewhere else. C+ | AFP via Getty Images

Photo Sales
Previous
3 / 7
Next Page
Related topics:SunderlandFootballChelseaEuropa LeaguePhil Smith
News you can trust since 1873
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice