Every Sunderland fan, of course, has their favourite Sunderland player. Whether that’s someone who hasn’t played in 60 years or 60 hours, there’s always a member of a team that stays with you (I’m seeing a Luke O’Nien stand somewhere in our stadium’s future).
However, in our first season back in the Premier League, it’s arguably more interesting to find out which Sunderland players have made an impression on non-Sunderland fans.
So, here are some ‘hot takes’ from those non-Sunderland fans, followed
by their team and their age, just so you can make a more advanced judgment.
Dan Ballard
‘My favourite Sunderland player is Dan Ballard. I think he really embodies Sunderland to me and I think he is a really strong defensive leader. Watching him score that goal against Coventry in the playoffs last year still gives me chills, honestly incredible.’ – Manchester City, 21
Granit Xhaka
‘Either Xhaka because he’s been signing of the season (other than Eze and Madueke) or Wilson [Isidor] because he’s shocked me how good he actually is.’ – Arsenal, 21
‘Granit Xhaka is a player with skill, experience and fight. His transfer to Sunderland shows the club’s ambition to cement itself as a fierce competitor and Premier League regular. He will take Sunderland far – potentially to Europe?’ – Aston Villa, 21
‘Xhaka is just a complete player. From an outside perspective he’s provided composure for the entire team, which has likely helped for being so high up in the table. You can see why he’s got the armband. Prime Barclays might be back.’ – Blackburn Rovers, 20
Darren Bent
‘As a Manchester United supporter, anything that brings Liverpool down a peg or two is always going to be cherished. This means that my favourite Sunderland player of all time is former striker Darren Bent.
It is now 16 years ago when Liverpool came to the Stadium of Light to find a team that was too good for them. However, the game was decided on, potentially, the most controversial goal since Maradona’s 1986 ‘Hand of God’ goal. After a Liverpool supporter threw a beach ball onto the pitch, which eventually blew into the Reds’ box, ex Spurs and England striker Bent took a shot towards goal with Pepe Reina looking to save it comfortably until the balls collided and the football diverted past the helpless keeper!
A goal that will be remembered forever, hit by a striker who was always a predator in the box, played for England but always talks about his time at Sunderland with fond memories (as I listen to him on Talk Sport) – a class act!’ – Manchester United, 50
Will Grigg
‘Will Grigg played for Wigan, finished 25 in Europe’s best player in a League One side, and has the best football chant of all time…’ – Wigan, 18
Kevin Phillips
‘Apologies for immediately making this about the Baggies, but when I think of Phillips, I can’t help wallow in the glory of storming into the Prem in 2008. Then (after 10-15 minutes of crying with my head in my hands, realising I’ll never see those heights again in my lifetime), I have to appreciate Phillip’s undeniable role in getting us there. He was an absolute machine: 22 goals in his first season, two hat-tricks, and of course the Player of the Year.
Not being a Sunderland fan, I am somewhat slow to think of the 113 goals he put into the back of the net for you, but I do suppose that’s exactly why they were so desperate to claw him back. So if you’re looking for an objective answer, here you’ve found it: Our Super-Kev’ – West Bromwich Albion, 20
Brian Brobbey
‘My favourite player is Brobbey as he looks the most friendly because of his smile, which is further proven by the fact he has not received a single yellow card or red card this Premier League season, we ignore the fouls committed stat – it is cancelled out by fouls suffered!’ – Celtic, 21
Reinildo
‘Reinildo as he got me some FPL points at the start of the season before getting sent off!’ – Liverpool, 20
Jermain Defoe
‘Defoe for me for sure. I think the whole Bradley thing is so heartwarming and beautiful. The fact he scored that insane volley against Newcastle and kept you guys up is sick. Plus, my [Sunderland supporting] family loves him.’ – Liverpool, 21
Nordi Mukiele
‘I’m a Newcastle fan, so it is hard for me to say I like any Sunderland player, but I do think Nordi Mukiele is a great player. He’s very solid, strong and has settled into the Premier League very well and is key to how Sunderland defend to make them hard to break down.’ – Newcastle, 18
Sebastian Larsson
‘Sebastian Larsson is one of the best free-kick takers I have ever seen in the Premier League. He also didn’t stop running and was so dangerous from set pieces. Absolutely great to watch growing up in 2012’ – Burnley, 19
