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.

There were some real highs for the youngster, from his opening-day goal against West Ham to a top all-round showing away at Bournemouth. There’s no doubt that he is a massively talented player but at the same time, he really struggled for regular starts and the feeling is that he could depart this summer. He’s still young and so a period of adjustment was always likely at such a high level, but you suspect he’d have eyed more starts and more goals last summer. C+

25. Eliezer Mayenda

There were some real highs for the youngster, from his opening-day goal against West Ham to a top all-round showing away at Bournemouth. There’s no doubt that he is a massively talented player but at the same time, he really struggled for regular starts and the feeling is that he could depart this summer. He’s still young and so a period of adjustment was always likely at such a high level, but you suspect he’d have eyed more starts and more goals last summer. C+ | AFP via Getty Images

Photo Sales
It’s never easy to impact a team without a pre-season and so Brobbey was up against it having arrived on deadline day. Took him a while to get up to speed but he became a vital player for Sunderland and a nightmare for opposition defences. Seven goals was a good return for a target man in a team that doesn’t always create loads, and his all-round contribution was top tier. Looks set to kick on again now that he has Le Fee to dovetail with - it’d be a huge shock if he wasn’t the starting striker next season. A+

26. Brian Brobbey

It’s never easy to impact a team without a pre-season and so Brobbey was up against it having arrived on deadline day. Took him a while to get up to speed but he became a vital player for Sunderland and a nightmare for opposition defences. Seven goals was a good return for a target man in a team that doesn’t always create loads, and his all-round contribution was top tier. Looks set to kick on again now that he has Le Fee to dovetail with - it’d be a huge shock if he wasn’t the starting striker next season. A+ | Getty Images

Photo Sales
Previous
7 / 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