Erling Haaland crowned and Alexander Isak gets unwanted title in talkSPORT’s mid-season awards

Erling Haaland’s blistering start to the season has been rewarded in talkSPORT’s mid-season awards.

Former Aston Villa striker Darren Bent was handed the task of recognising the standout performers and those who have fallen below expectations.

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There were notable mentions for Morgan Rogers and Hugo Ekitike to take the prize of ‘Player of the Season so far’, but Bent could not look past Haaland and his incredible goal glut.

The Norwegian has been in prolific form for Manchester City having netted 19 goals at the midway point of the season.

His goals have thrust Pep Guardiola’s side into a likely title shootout with Arsenal in the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, British-record signing Alexander Isak was handed an unwanted award following his difficult start to life at Liverpool, whilst Premier League new boys Sunderland were honoured for their superb start to the season.

Player of the season: Erling Haaland

“I’m going to have to go for Erling Haaland,” Bent revealed. “The guy has got 19 Premier League goals already.

“If I score that many in a season I’m giving myself ten out of ten, he’s got 19 at the halfway point!

“I’m looking at that thinking that can’t be right, he’s scored one penalty. His highest tally in the Premier League is 36, he’s going past that.

“Simply for the numbers he’s been absolutely phenomenal.”

Manager of the season: Regis Le Bris

“The three I’ve got on the shortlist are Unai Emery, Regis Le Bris and Keith Andrews.

“I’m going to go with Regis Le Bris.

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“Sunderland are seventh. They were in the [Championship] play-offs, just got past Coventry and even in the final, Sheffield United were the better side but they somehow managed to get up.

“Regis Le Bris last year, his first job in English football, nobody had a clue who he was.

“We talk about the Championship being a notoriously hard league to get out of, he does it in year one.

“The three promoted teams that usually come up, go back done. He’s got Sunderland to seventh. It has to be Regis Le Bris.”

Signing of the season: Granit Xhaka

“There’s been quite a few contenders but there’s one that stands out – Granit Xhaka.

“He’s gone to Sunderland and been absolutely brilliant. Week in, week out, composure, stalwart, leadership.

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“Do you know who’s been decent and deserves a mention? [Bryan] Mbeumo. [Matheus] Cunha’s been decent too but not like Granit Xhaka.”

Disappointment of the season: Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko

“The disappointment of the season would be…and I hoped it would be better. [Viktor] Gyokeres or [Benjamin] Sesko.

“I expected so much. I thought Gyokeres and Sesko would look better.

“Both of them are struggling to make a real dent in the clubs they are at.

“Some people have said [Florian] Wirtz. I think he’s shown glimpses where I’ve gone ‘Oh my goodness, he’s a good player’. He’s coming!”

Shock of the season: Alexander Isak

“Isak. He’s played in this league for three years but he’s not looked anything near it.

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“I wish him all the best for his recovery but it’s a shock to me because we were crying Liverpool Premier League champions when they got him over the line.”