20 Most Important Players In The Premier League 2014/15

5. Vito Mannone

Sunderland's Player of the Year could be in for another testing season for the Black Cats, with Gus Poyet's defensive reinforcements not seeming to personify solidity. Santiago Vergini has been brought in on loan once again, with Patrick van Aanholt presumably set to feature as a first-team regular left-back after a permanent switch from Chelsea. The latter has some promise, having had plenty of minutes in the Eredivisie over the past two seasons, but re-signing a defender on loan smells more of desperation than optimism. With a defence that looks to be somewhat leaky on paper, the Italian goalkeeper will need to be alert throughout. While the signings of Will Buckley and Jack Rodwell look astute in midfield, barring injury, the new season looks to be one in which the Black Cats have to find at least one goal per game to have a chance of a point - unless their former Arsenal shot-stopper steps up to the plate once again. In La Liga, Levante survived relegation courtesy of Keylor Navas saving points on his own. Mannone might be called upon to do just the same at the Stadium of Light.