Granit Xhaka: A Key Signing for Sunderland’s Premier League Success

Granit Xhaka has made a significant impact at Sunderland, contributing one goal and three assists thus far in the season.

Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United and England striker, has declared Xhaka to be “probably the signing of the season.” Sunderland has excelled in their return to the Premier League, currently positioned fourth after 11 matches with 19 points, putting them on a promising path to achieve their primary goal of remaining in the league.

Xhaka, who previously played for Arsenal, has been instrumental in Sunderland’s strong start, leveraging his experience and leadership on the field. He has been a consistent presence, featuring in every minute of the team’s league matches, where he leads in assists, chances created, successful passes, and other key statistics.

The 33-year-old midfielder joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £13 million as part of several strategic signings following the team’s promotion from the Championship.

In discussing Xhaka’s performance on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney noted, “Coming back to the Premier League, you wonder if he can do it, especially with a promoted team. But he has been brilliant.”

Xhaka’s previous tenure at Arsenal saw him make 297 appearances and win two FA Cups, although he faced challenges, including five red cards and a tumultuous relationship with fans, which led to a brief captaincy. However, his fortunes changed under manager Mikel Arteta, culminating in a successful season at Leverkusen, where he helped secure the Bundesliga title.

Rooney further remarked on Xhaka’s resilience, emphasizing his ability to overcome difficult situations, stating, “To get through that and then go and perform for Arsenal, and then at Leverkusen to be part of a team to beat Bayern Munich for the title has shown what a good player he is.”

Given Sunderland’s young squad, Rooney believes Xhaka serves as a father figure, crucial for guiding both players and coaching staff, and will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset for the team moving forward.