3 Mat Ryan – Valencia/Genk/Brighton & Hove Albion

Ryan’s career was at a crucial junction at the turn of the year, struggling for game-time with Valencia in La Liga. He opted for a loan move back to Belgium, where he’d previously impressed at Club Brugge, and impressed with Genk, making 17 appearances, including helping the side to the Europa League quarterfinals.

Subsequently he earned a move to newly promoted Premier League outfit Brighton who shelled out of a then-club record transfer fee for his services. He started slowly in the EPL, with an error against Manchester City but has impressed in recent weeks, including a stunning double save at Manchester United.

2 Mathew Leckie – Ingolstadt/Hertha Berlin

Leckie endured a mixed 2017, where he experienced relegation and a goal drought at Ingolstadt, before making the switch to the German capital with Hertha BSC where he has firmly established himself as a quality Bundesliga player.

The 26-year-old winger was a regular at Ingolstadt and his wing play was impressive, but the end product was his, and the club’s, issue. He’s had no such problems at Hertha, scoring five goals this season, including several on his non-preferred left. He’s also set up a few, playing in the Europa League.

1 Aaron Mooy – Huddersfield Town

The man dubbed ‘the pasty Pirlo’ enjoyed a remarkable year where he won a series of personal accolades but also played a leading role in Huddersfield’s unlikely promotion to the Premiership. The good times haven’t stopped since promotion either, with Mooy thriving in the top flight, one of the world’s best leagues.

Mooy won Huddersfield’s Player of the Year as well being named in the EFL Team of the Season, PFA Team of the Championship in the 2016-17 season, whilst also holding his nerve with spotkicks in two penalty shootouts in the Championship play-offs. He’s gone on to score key goals in Premier League wins over against Newcastle and Manchester United as well as a brace recently against Watford. Mooy’s set-pieces and composure in midfield have made him a fan favourite at the John Smith Stadium too.

Honourable mentions: Aziz Behich, Tomi Juric, Golgol Mebrahtu, Awer Mabil, Massimo Luongo