Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka surprisingly snubbed as Manchester United star lands Premier League award | OneFootball

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has surprisingly missed out on the Premier League’s Transfer of the Season, with the honour going to Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

The Belgium international kept eight clean sheets in 32 appearances during his first season at Old Trafford, helping United secure a return to the Champions League.

Xhaka was shortlisted alongside Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Arsenal’s Premier League winner Viktor Gyokeres, Joao Pedro of Chelsea, Bournemouth defender Adrien Truffert and Manchester City pair Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo.

Many had considered him among the frontrunners after an influential campaign as Sunderland exceeded expectations on their Premier League return and clinched a Europa League place. The Swiss midfielder made 34 appearances in all competitions, scoring one and supplying six assists.

“Even the people closest to me were saying: 'Why are you going back to the Premier League to join Sunderland?’ I came back because I love the challenge and I had the feeling I need a new challenge. I just had the feeling with the owner when I spoke with them - with the club, with the coach - this is the right club for me, because the people are very humble. I'm just happy that everything at the moment is going how I wanted it to.”

He was speaking to BBC Sport earlier this year.

Source: Sunderland Echo