“Michael Graham’s Sunderland Player of the Year Picks Revealed: ‘Brilliantly Consistent’ Duo Set to Dominate—Are They Unstoppable?”

As the 2024/25 season nears its conclusion, Sunderland have kicked off voting for their Player of the Season awards, though the timing feels a tad early with the team’s fate still hanging in the balance.

The Black Cats could either clinch a play-off spot and potentially earn promotion—marking a successful campaign—or falter in the final stretch, turning the season into a letdown.

Fans might be leaning toward the latter after a demoralizing 3-0 loss to Coventry City, the heaviest defeat yet under Regis Le Bris, which exposed a side that’s looked far from play-off material lately.

Sunderland’s form has wobbled, with only two victories in their last six Championship matches. Still, they hold onto fourth place, enjoying a 12-point buffer over Tony Mowbray’s West Brom in sixth.

With eight games remaining, however, the outcome remains anyone’s guess. Recent performances have sparked frustration among supporters, with goalkeeper Anthony Patterson drawing flak and midfielder Dan Neil taking heat for his showing against Coventry.

Amid the ups and downs, journalist Michael Graham has weighed in on the club’s end-of-season honors, spotlighting two standout performers: Trai Hume and Jobe Bellingham.

Both have shone brightly for Sunderland and their national teams this term. Bellingham has caught eyes with England’s U21s in March, while Hume’s injury while on duty with Northern Ireland was a gut punch—not just for his country but possibly for Sunderland’s run-in too.

Graham champions Hume for the Player of the Year crown and Bellingham for the Young Player of the Year nod, praising their “brilliant consistency” throughout the campaign.

That said, alternatives exist for both accolades. Some fans might argue Hume and Bellingham don’t fully merit the honors, especially given minor dips in form—though Hume’s wobble has been barely noticeable.

Chris Mepham, for instance, could stake a claim for Player of the Year; his unexpected impact since joining has been a revelation.

Meanwhile, Chris Rigg’s breakout season in the Championship makes him a strong contender for the young player prize.

Still, when the dust settles, Hume and Bellingham’s steady excellence likely gives them the edge for the top awards.