Granit Xhaka has confirmed that Sunderland supporters can expect to see the captain stay at the club this summer, with the midfielder aiming to help the team create lasting history after a strong first season back in the Premier League.
Xhaka, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen last year, played a major part as Sunderland not only stayed clear of relegation danger but also secured a Europa League place, finishing seventh after a late surge that crowned an impressive return to the top flight.
Chelsea tried to lure Xhaka away last month, with reports suggesting the Switzerland international was open to working again with Xabi Alonso, yet Sunderland rejected the offer and retained a player who has quickly become central to the club’s plans.
Speaking
to DAZN, Xhaka underlined that decision and stressed how settled life is in the north-east, saying: "Sunderland has been my home since day one. We are all very happy. I've decided to stay where I am; the most important thing is family. I'm ready to make history with them. "
During the league campaign, Xhaka wore the armband and featured in 34 Premier League matches, contributing one goal and six assists, while also leading Sunderland for passes played into the final third and showing influence across many areas of the pitch.
| Season | Club | League matches | Goals | Assists | Chances created | Passes into final third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last season | Sunderland | 34 | 1 | 6 | 34 | 363 |
The 33-year-old not only created 34 chances from midfield but also produced a team-best 363 passes into attacking zones, underscoring why Sunderland trusted Xhaka with the captaincy in a season that ended with European qualification.
While club matters dominated the summer debate around Xhaka, international duty also brought a high point, as the midfielder played the full match and scored in a penalty shootout when Switzerland edged Colombia 4-3 on spot-kicks after a 0-0 draw on Tuesday.
That shootout success booked Switzerland a place in the World Cup quarter-finals, rounding off a period in which Xhaka resisted Chelsea speculation, reiterated commitment to Sunderland and continued to show leadership for both club and country.
