Sunderland star selected over Newcastle favourite as Premier League make announcement
One Sunderland star in particular is starting to emerge as one of the best signings in the Premier League so far this season.
Sunderland have adapted to life in the Premier League better than anyone could have expected them to, sitting ninth in the table.
The Black Cats have picked up 11 points from their first seven games, which is a tally that, when achieved by gameweek 10, comes with a 100 per cent survival rate in the top flight.
While the likes of Wilson Isidor and Nordi Mukiele have been praised for their influence in that success, one Sunderland star has been recognised for his invaluable contributions throughout the campaign.
Robin Roefs pips Nick Pope to Fantasy Premier League Team of the Season so far
Upgrading on Anthony Patterson was crucial for the Black Cats, despite his heroics to earn them a spot back in the top flight for the first time since 2017.
They achieved that with the signing of Robin Roefs, who has been immense for Sunderland ever since making the move from NEC Nijmegen.
Only two goalkeepers in the Premier League have prevented more goals than the Dutchman, who, according to FotMob, has prevented 2.68 so far this season.
His heroics have often been the difference-maker for the Black Cats, earning him a spot in the Fantasy Premier League Team of the Season so far, as announced via their official site.
Roefs has accumulated 41 fantasy points so far this season, and with three clean sheets, he has already matched the record set by any of last year’s promoted keepers.
Newcastle’s Nick Pope has also picked up 41 points, though Roefs earns his spot in the side as a result of his pricetag being £0.5million less than the Englishman.
Just how good has Robin Roefs been this season?
Sunderland would not be where they are without Roefs, and that is by far the biggest compliment that could be given to the Dutchman.
Whether it be a reflex save or a high claim, Roefs has performed it with relative ease, but also extreme effectiveness, with an 80 per cent save percentage so far this season.
Keepers are often prone to parrying the ball into dangerous areas, which certainly is not the case for Roefs.
His ability to control his penalty area is incredible, and with 11 high claims so far this season, he places in the top 7.4 per cent of goalkeepers in the Premier League.
While his 64.7 per cent pass accuracy could do with a small amount of work, the fact that he has completed 42 long passes is a testament to his ability to get Sunderland moving up the pitch.
The Black Cats did some incredible business in the summer, but the arrival of Roefs is looking very quickly as though it was by far their best move.
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