Sunderland’s Premier League Player of the Month for April

Name: Jan Kirchhoff
Position: Defensive Midfielder

Jan Kirchhoff was an impressive performer for Sunderland in April. Photo: Simon Stacpoole/Offside.

Sunderland picked up six points from their five fixtures in April as their battle to avoid the drop continued, keeping three clean sheets in the process, and one of their stand out performers during the month was Jan Kirchhoff.

The defensive midfielder helped his team keep a clean sheet in the opening match against West Brom at the Stadium of Light, and picked up the man-of-the-match award after making more interceptions, passes and having more touches than anyone else on the pitch.

A defeat to Leicester followed, but the German was again impressive in what could prove to be a vital 3-0 success at fellow strugglers Norwich City, including pressurising Sebastien Bassong well in the lead up to Jermain Defoe’s goal for the visitors.

Another shutout against Arsenal followed, before a 1-1 draw at Stoke, with Kirchhoff making the final shortlist of three for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month in the Premier League.