‘Signing of the season’ – how Xhaka has taken Sunderland to top four.
Granit Xhaka, Sunderland captain, was dubbed the season’s best recruit, and then he made his most significant contribution yet.
When the Black Cats signed the now-33-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen for £13 million in the summer, they could not have predicted how well he would perform.
The Switzerland midfielder’s effort from beyond the box secured Sunderland a 1-1 home draw with Everton, propelling them back into the Premier League’s top four. A quarter of the way through the season, the promoted side has secured a Champions League spot.
“He must be the signing of the season,” ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher stated on Sky Sports ahead of the encounter. “Is there anyone in the Premier League making such an effect anywhere? Perhaps not.
After the game, in which Xhaka was chosen man of the match, Carragher said, “He was excellent again, head and shoulders above almost anyone else on that pitch.”
Just how big has Xhaka’s impact been?
Xhaka leads his Sunderland teammates in virtually every measure. But it’s impressive how high he ranks in the league in a variety of measures.
He has three assists, while just three other players have more (all four). He is tied for 11th in chances produced, and only two players have created more set-play possibilities than him.
Only Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi (56) has made more long passes than Xhaka (52). However, the Swiss have tried only 87 long passes, compared to Senesi’s 138.
He is in the top 20 in passes (552), balls into the box (56) and possession won (49). And now he has a goal, his first in the Premier League since his final game with Arsenal, when he struck twice against Wolves on the final day of 2022-23.
Manager Regis Le Bris stated, “He’s very important because we have a lot of young and new players in this league.” “They don’t know the situation, and a player like Granit, with his previous experience, is critical for us. He have this ability to score.
“I’m pleased to have this type of player. He wants to play football, he wants to be competitive, he’s always been involved with the game, and he sets the standard.”
Former Sunderland defender Jonny Evans told Sky Sports: “He is the only one on the squad with real experience.” “They can count on him for anything. Also, his performance is superb.”
Better than the ‘Arsenal villain’?
This is Xhaka’s second spell in England, having played 297 games for Arsenal from 2016 to 2023.
He later joined Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the title under Xabi Alonso in the club’s unbeaten domestic season of 2023-24. Erik ten Hag, then the Leverkusen manager, insisted that Xhaka would not be sold this summer.
However, the midfielder left for Sunderland, and Ten Hag was fired a few weeks into the season. “I didn’t expect to come back after Germany but you never know where you land,” he explained.
“Being back made me joyful. I knew the project would allow me to gain experience and demonstrate it to the guys on a daily basis.
“It makes me happy to score a goal.” Xhaka was a bit of a pantomine villain at Arsenal, and he was occasionally heavily criticised.
He was sent off five times for the Gunners, served as captain for six weeks in 2019, battled with his own fans, and was stripped of the armband.
However, things improved under Mikel Arteta, who became as an important player before departing for Germany in 2023. Carragher stated:
“After what he went through at Arsenal, he had amazing character in coming back from it. Because of his effect, if he can help Sunderland finish in the top ten – or even simply stay up – he will be remembered for a long time.”
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle: “He is a good professional. “When he was an Arsenal player, he was sometimes portrayed as a villain. We’ve watched him grow and mature throughout the years.
“We’ve seen a slightly more contained version of Xhaka, but it’s actually superior to the absolutely devoted, blowing steam out of his ears type of player we saw at Arsenal.
“He is more measured, cool, and professional. To have that in your squad, especially if you have a young squad and everyone believes in him, is a talisman.
“We need to wrap him in cotton wool and keep him going for 38 games.”
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