The case for Kirchhoff - Sunderland’s player of the year?

There is an old saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Thankfully for Sunderland supporters Jan Kirchhoff’s first impression has not been the most enduring.

Let’s be honest, the majority of fans considered Kirchhoff’s debut for the Black Cats one of the worst in a red and white shirt. After just one performance I would find it hard to disagree with anyone who decided the transfer looked to be a flop.

Compare our opinions of the former Bayern Munich man following his calamitous Premier League taster and those views we hold now. You can’t get two more polarised views of a player after his stunning surge to success in Sunderland’s midfield.

Yes, Jermain Defoe has taken all of the headlines, but here is the case for Jan Kirchhoff – arguably Sunderland’s player of the year for 2015/16.

There is a fly in the ointment granted, as Kirchhoff only joined the Black Cats in January 2016. But, and here is the clincher, once Sam Allardyce brought Kirchoff out of defence and into the deep lying midfield role, it began to steer the good ship Sunderland on a course for Premiership safety. From that moment the entire season changed.

Let’s look at the stark reality of the matter. Up until Kirchhoff joined, Sunderland had petered out. The Championship looked to be as inevitable as death and taxes.

While Jermain Defoe was chipping in with goals before the £750,000 arrival of Kirchoff, it was the big German’s ability to solidify Sunderland’s midfield that gave Defoe and others the confidence to build upon their ability.

Of course this transformation was helped by other January signings too. The arrival of Lamine Koné also provided fortification. However, Kirchhoff had stabilising influence, protecting the Black Cats rear guard adding an assurance everyone else needed to really shine.

Given Kirchoff’s sturdiness, Sunderland’s defence was no longer laid bare as it had been previously. There was no longer that constant barrage that we had become to expect from opposing teams. Sure, Lee Cattermole is destructive and belligerent in his approach but he lacks the stature of Big Jan. Allardyce likes height and power in his midfield – two attributes Kirchhoff owns comfortably.

He just keeps it simple. Nothing flash, no frills but what you do get with that direct approach is pure class.

There is of course Yann M’Villa. The Frenchman was a great success on Wearside and the Rokermen should be looking to secure him on a permanent contract. However, arguably, in a red and white shirt at least, he’s been effective further up the pitch. M’Villa is a superb dribbler of the ball and covers the ground quicker.

However, those that watched Kirchhoff on a regular basis will have found that he has an innate ability to sense danger more so than any other player in that position. PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for April, trumping the likes of Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen to the award suggests a wider audience noticed him too.

Yes, other players have taken the lead roles in Sunderland’s survival theatrics, but without Jan Kirchhoff they would not have had the stage.