He is the first ever-present outfield player for Boro since Dean Gordon in the 1998-99 season and was one of only three ever-present outfield players in the Premiership. The others were Olof Mellberg at Aston Villa and Nicolas Anelka at Man. City.
He not only won the Dial-a-Phone player of the season, but he was also star man in the Evening Gazette and a close runner-up to Gareth Southgate in the players player of the year competition.
In addition he has been rated highly in the OPTA Index for dribbling. His 160 dribbles this season ranked him in fifth place, with his success rate of 76% being the highest.
The U-21 international also earned a call-up to a full England training camp during the season, although he has not featured in a squad to-date.
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