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

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.

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.

Image source, Getty Images

Could it be Granit Xhaka, who's our Premier League Signing of the Season?

He 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

We're going to focus on Signing of the Season now. And for this one, we have some nominees and expert analysis.

Fulham

Do you think Reed's goal deserved goal of the season?

The shortlist for the Match of the Day vote was drawn up from eight Goal of the Month Winners. You can watch the contenders from 24:03 here.

And here's a video message from the winner!

What a guy.

Well, it's fair to say there were numerous thunderbolts to choose from for the Premier League goal of the season.

Some may say Dominik Szoboszlai dipping and swerving free-kick against Arsenal.

Cherries fans will fondly remember Tyler Adams' stunning goal from the halfway line against Sunderland, then there is Harrison Reed's sumptuous strike against Liverpool...

Arne Slot's side had pinched the lead with only three minutes remaining of added time, but an outrageous strike from Fulham's Reed earned them a valuable point and also earns him the goal of the season.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Twenty-one of our BBC Sport pundits and reporters predicted Liverpool to defend their Premier League title, but an abysmal league, European and domestic cup campaigns leaves them trophyless in Arne Slot's second season.

In comparison to their title-winning season, Liverpool have lost eight more games, scored 23 fewer goals and conceded 12 more goals...

The Reds' 2024-25 league campaign:

Won: 25

Drawn: 9

Lost: 4

Scored: 86

Conceded: 41

Total points: 84

The Reds' 2025-26 league campaign:

Won: 17

Drawn: 9

Lost: 12

Scored: 63

Conceded: 53

Total points: 60

Image source, Getty Images

From the Champions League to, very nearly, the Championship...

Thankfully for Tottenham, a 1-0 victory against Everton on the final day of the season confirmed their safety.

Still, to see them battle relegation for so long this term was a big surprise.

Thomas Frank couldn't inspire them ay the start of the campaign and, after eight and a half years at Brentford, he lasted just under eight months at Tottenham.

Ex-Juventus centre-back Igor Tudor was then assigned with Spurs Chief Executive Vinai Venkatesham calling his appointment a "risk", and it was a risk that didn't pay off...

Eventually it was ex-Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi who saved the day.

Image source, Getty Images

As we remember the great moments, players and managers of the 2025-26 campaign. It was a season to forget for some...

A 2025 Europa League win for Spurs will have got many fans excited after a lacklustre league campaign, but it would turn out to go from bad to worse for Spurs and Postecoglou.

As the Australian Manager stood above the Spurs faithful during their Europa League parade, the ex-Spurs boss said: "Season three is better than season two."

Fourteen days later, the Australian boss was sacked.

The 60-year-old endured a roller-coaster ride in north London, but his new journey at Nottingham Forest would unfold into his most unsuccessful tenure as a manager.

Unfortunately for the seasoned trophy winner, Postecoglou, he lasted 39 days at Evangelos Marinakis' Forest...

Wooooahhh, we're halfway through the BBC Sport Football Awards.

Across this final hour we'll be fully focused on the Premier League.

Most predictable sacking is next, and it's already been mentioned by one of our Get Involveders...

Image source, Getty Images

After joining Hearts in the summer, Portuguese forward Braga hit the ground running in his side's valiant Scottish Premiership push.

Braga is on course for an awards clean sweep, having also won the PFA Scotland player of the year and been nominated for Scottish Football Writers' Association player of the year.

Appearances: 33

Goals: 14

Assists: 5

Hearts' final position: 2nd