By Martin Graham
when Sunderland brought to a 33-year-old person Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for £13m last summer, few could have imagined how smoothly things would go. The Switzerland international has become the heartbeat of a newly-promoted side who now sit in the Premier League’s top four.
His impressive long-range attack against everton earned a valuable 1-1 draw and maintained Sunderland’s impressive position – a Champions League place a quarter of the way through the season. Xhaka was later named man of the match for his dominant display.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher praised the midfielder ahead of the game, calling him “the signing of the season”. After watching his performance, Carragher added that Xhaka looked “head and shoulders above almost anyone else on this pitch”.
Numbers that show their influence
In the most measurable areas, Xhaka has led by example. The captain’s consistency and technical quality have placed him among the best players in the league in multiple categories.
He has provided three assists, with only three Premier League players creating more, and ranks 11th overall. At set pieces, only two players have created more opportunities than Xhaka’s nine.
As for the cast, only Bournemouth defence Marc Senesi he has completed more long passes (56) than Xhaka’s 52, although the Sunderland man has attempted far fewer. He also appears in the top 20 for total passes, box entries and possession recoveries.
Now, with his first Premier League goal since his Arsenal farewell in 2023, Xhaka’s global impact continues to grow.
Coach Regis Le Bris highlighted the midfielder’s influence, saying: “He is crucial for us – we have a lot of young and inexperienced players in this league. Granit’s presence, his mentality and his ability to perform under pressure help everyone. He raises the standards every day.”
Former Sunderland defender Jonny Evans agreed, noting: “He’s the one everyone can turn to. His form and attitude have been outstanding.”
Redemption after his Arsenal years
Xhaka’s return trip to England has been anything but ordinary. After making nearly 300 appearances for Arsenal between 2016 and 2023, he left for Leverkusen, where he played a key role in their unbeaten Bundesliga season under Xabi Alonso.
Although Leverkusen wanted to keep him, Xhaka chose a new challenge at Sunderland, returning to the Premier League with a point to prove. Reflecting on the move, he said: “I didn’t expect to come back, but football surprises you. The project here made sense: to bring experience and help the younger players every day. I’m proud to score and contribute.”
At Arsenal, Xhaka’s career had turbulent times. He was sent off several times, lost the captaincy after clashing with fans in 2019 and often divided opinion. However, he rebuilt his reputation under Mikel Arteta before leaving for Germany.
Carragher commented: “After what happened at Arsenal, to come back and play like this shows great strength. If he helps Sunderland stay up or even finish in mid-table, his name will be remembered for years.”
Calm authority replacing the old temper
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini described Xhaka as the definition of a seasoned professional. “At Arsenal, he could be fiery and unpredictable,” Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle. “Now he’s more controlled and mature, still competitive, but with more balance.”
He added that Xhaka’s composure and leadership are vital in a youth dressing room. “Everybody believes in him. He’s their talisman. They’re going to want to keep him fit and playing every week because his presence changes the whole dynamic of the team.”
With Sunderland punching above their weight, Xhaka’s experience and measured aggression have become their mainstay, proof that the so-called ‘dolan’ has become the club’s unlikely hero.
