Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has become the talk of the Premier League. Many now call him the signing of the season, and his latest performance proved why. When the Black Cats signed the 33-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen for £13 million in the summer, few imagined the move would work this well.
Xhaka’s powerful strike from outside the box earned Sunderland a 1-1 draw at home against Everton. That single point lifted the promoted club back into the Premier League’s top four — a Champions League position just a quarter of the way through the season.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said before the match: “He must be the signing of the season. Is there anyone having such an impact anywhere? Probably not.” After the match, Xhaka was named man of the match. Carragher added: “He was excellent again, head and shoulders above almost anyone else on that pitch.”
Xhaka’s numbers speak for themselves
The Swiss midfielder leads Sunderland in almost every major statistic. But what impresses most is how highly he ranks across the entire league. He has three assists — only three players have more, each with four. He ranks joint-11th for chances created, and only two players have delivered more set-piece opportunities than his nine.
Among outfield players, only Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi has completed more long passes — 56 compared to Xhaka’s 52. Yet Senesi attempted 138 long balls, while Xhaka made only 87. The Sunderland captain also sits in the top 20 for passes (552), balls into the box (56), and possession won (49).
Now he has his first Premier League goal since leaving Arsenal. His last two came in his final Arsenal match, when he scored twice against Wolves in May 2023. Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris praised him highly: “He’s really important for us because we have many young players and many new ones in this league. They don’t know the conditions, and a player like Granit, with his experience, is essential. He has the quality to score and to lead. He always wants to play, to compete, and to set standards.”
Former Sunderland defender Jonny Evans agreed: “He is the only one in the squad with real experience. They can rely on him for anything, and his performance level is excellent.”
From Arsenal outcast to Sunderland hero
This is Xhaka’s second spell in English football. He played 297 times for Arsenal between 2016 and 2023 before joining Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso during their unbeaten 2023-24 season.
Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag, who managed the team briefly after Alonso’s departure, insisted that Xhaka would not leave that summer. But a move to Sunderland followed, and Ten Hag lost his job only weeks into the new season.
Xhaka said about his return: “I didn’t expect to come back after Germany, but football can surprise you. I was happy to return and join this project to bring experience and guide the team day by day. Scoring today makes me proud.”
At Arsenal, Xhaka was often a polarising figure. He received five red cards and briefly served as captain in 2019 before clashing with fans and losing the armband. His relationship with the supporters recovered under Mikel Arteta, and he became a key player before leaving for Germany in 2023.
Carragher reflected on his turnaround: “After what he went through at Arsenal, he showed real strength. The impact he’s had at Sunderland is remarkable. If he helps them finish in the top ten, or even just stay up, people will remember him for a long time.”
A calmer leader with powerful influence
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini praised Xhaka’s maturity: “He’s the definition of a top professional. When he played for Arsenal, he could look like a villain, but he’s changed. Over the years, he’s become more measured, calmer, and better as a professional. That’s invaluable, especially in a young squad where everyone looks up to him. He’s a talisman for the team. We need to protect him and keep him fit for all 38 games.”
Xhaka’s transformation from a controversial figure in North London to a composed leader in Sunderland has defined this season’s surprise story. His drive, leadership, and class continue to push the Black Cats towards dreams few dared to imagine last summer.
