Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

Eyebrows were raised when Sunderland brought midfielder Granit Xhaka back to the Premier League from Bayer Leverkusen.

Xhaka, now 33, had been deemed surplus to requirements at the German club but still secured a return to the Premier League, where he previously played for Arsenal.

Having captained Arsenal and helped lead Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso, Xhaka has provided leadership for a revamped Sunderland side, who spent £160m on new players in the summer.

Manager Regis Le Bris has credited him with bringing a high level of leadership behind the scenes, while his combative style and quality on the ball have helped deliver results, including a shock qualification for the Europa League.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Easy choice this. Has anyone had a greater individual impact on one team than the 33-year-old who arrived at Sunderland for £17m from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer? Xhaka’s experience was meant to stabilise The Black Cats in the Premier League.

Instead, his calmness, quality and leadership was a decisive factor in Sunderland reaching Europe.

Image source, get

Granit Xhaka turned plenty of heads last summer when he left Champions League side Bayer Leverkusen to join newly promoted Sunderland.

But less than 12 months on, Xhaka’s decision to join the Black Cats has been vindicated. He has rediscovered his best form to help the Premier League newcomers secure European qualification for the first time in 53 years.

After being named club captain upon his arrival at the Stadium of Light, the Switzerland international has led by example both on and off the pitch.

In total, he featured in 34 of a possible 38 Premier League matches, registering one goal and six assists in what proved to be a truly historic season for the Black Cats.

When Xhaka leads Sunderland out in the Europa League next season, his decision to move to the North East will no longer seem as bewildering as it did last summer.

Appearances: 34

Assists: 6

Goals: 1

Image source, Getty Images

Since arriving in the Premier League for just £14m last summer, Adrien Truffert has been one of the most consistent performers.

The high-flying left-back has seamlessly replaced the previously outstanding Milos Kerkez on the south coast.

The Frenchman’s contributions at both ends of the pitch have made him a key asset, featuring in all 38 games for the Cherries.

Appearances: 38

Assists: 5

Goals: 1

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Simply put, his goals have kept Leeds in the Premier League. He can count himself unlucky not to be named in England’s World Cup squad.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

For me it is Dominic Calvert Lewin. The front man was signed on a free and scored 14 league goals as Leeds survived relegation.

Image source, Getty Images

After 14 goals in his debut season at Elland Road, is Dominic Calvert in with a shout for signing of the season?

A few of our reporters seem to think so...

Image source, Getty Images

It is rare for a player to arrive at Manchester City and make such an immediate impact - but Antoine Semenyo did just that after joining from Bournemouth in January.

The 26-year-old hit the ground running, scoring in four of his first five games for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Although the arrival of the Ghana international was not enough to help Manchester City come from behind to beat Arsenal to the Premier League title, Semenyo finished with seven goals and one assist in 17 league appearances for his new club.

If the first six months of his City career are anything to go by, he could prove to be a bargain at £64m...

Appearances: 17

Goals: 7

Assists: 1

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

This was a toss up with Granit Xhaka, who more than anyone brought the game management to Sunderland that allowed them to make such a positive start to the season.

The thing about Senne Lammens is that he has largely gone under the radar, having been brought in to fill one of the most talked about positions in the game and which had become such a massive problem at Manchester United.

Ruben Amorim wanted Emi Martinez but United’s recruitment department pushed for Lammens, who cost £17.1m after one full season as first choice at Royal Antwerp.

He has not been perfect but he has been quietly effective.

No-one talks about Manchester United’s goalkeeping position now.

Image source, Getty Images

Senne Lammens enjoyed an impressive breathrough campaign after joining Manchester United in the summer of 2025.

Signed from Royal Antwerp for an intial fee of £18.1 millon plus add-ons, the Belgian goalkeeper quickly adapted to the demands of the Premeir League.

At just 23-year-old, Lammens impressed with his reflexes, producing several crucial saves in big moments throughout the season.

One of his standout displays came against Everton, when David Moyes said: "Their goalie was brilliant tonight. The save he made from Michael Keane, the way he dealt with the corner kicks. For me, their goalkeeper was the best player."

Appearances: 32

Clean sheets: 8

Image source, Getty Images

Caoimhin Kelleher enjoyed a superb 2025-26 campaign after joining Brentford from Liverpool in a deal worth an initial £12.5m with add-ons.

At 27-years-old, the Republic of Ireland international finally established himself as a first-choice Premier League goalkeeper after years of impressing as Alisson's understudy at Anfield.

He made numerous key saves and produced clean sheets as Brentford pushed towards the top of the table, quickly becoming popular with the Bees faithful.

When Kelleher signed, former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given said: "In the correct climate he's worth every single penny, if not more," while also adding: "He looks the real deal."

Appearances: 37

Clean sheets: 10

Image source, Getty Images

Rayan Cherki could be one of the signings of the 2025-26 Premier League season after arriving at Manchester City from Lyon for an initial fee of £30.45m, on a five-year deal until 2030.

He contributed goals and assists in key moments, finishing the season with four goals and 12 assists in 33 league games.

Teammates have spoken glowingly of Cherki, with France captain Kylian Mbappe saying he has a "gift" of playing football and City skipper Bernardo Silva calling him a "special talent."

At just 22-years-old, Cherki showed exactly why City moved quickly to secure one of Europe's brightest talents.

It's that time again.

All your nominees are up and we'll be changing gears to look at the signing of the season next.

You've got around five minutes before we do that so have your say up at the top of the page or, alternatively, you can continue to vote below.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Plenty of contenders, especially Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes after he picked up top individual honours such as the Football Writers’ Association Footballer Of The Year, but I’m going for Declan Rice.

He has been at the very heart of Arsenal’s first title win in 22 years, a leader and an inspiration, as well as showing once again how comfortable he is on the elite stage by playing his part as they reached the Champions League Final.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

I get the Bruno Fernandes argument, but Rice has driven Arsenal to the title and a Champions League final. Glory counts.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

The midfielder has played the most minutes of any Arsenal player and has sometimes by sheer force of will impacted games.