Granit Xhaka’s move to Sunderland raised eyebrows when it was announced, as a top class international joining a newly-promoted side with genuine relegation concerns seemed unlikely. It’s fair to say it’s worked out well, but what does the future hold?
First, the positives, and Xhaka’s on-field performance. There are two elements to that: his own play and his standard of on-field organisation.
His defensive and ball-regaining statistics are impressive, but perhaps just as important is his pass completion
rate into the final third, where he currently ranks third among all Premier League players.
On field stats? Great, but what about organisation?
In almost every post-match summary, Régis Le Bris highlights the team’s ability to solve problems in real time (or not). That’s where Xhaka — because of his on-field positioning, his experience and his personality — excels.
So, assuming we hadn’t signed him this season but every other signing had still arrived (see below), would we have survived? I suggest yes, but it would’ve been close. Perhaps we would’ve struggled like Leeds, rarely in real danger, but only making it to safety with a game or so to spare.
Beyond his obvious contributions, his arrival in the summer undoubtedly meant the quality of our signings improved.
Nordi Mukiele, for one, made it clear in a recent interview that it was Xhaka that persuaded him to sign. It’s also rumoured that Brian Brobbey was courted early in the transfer window, but wasn’t convinced. However, perhaps the presence of Xhaka, Mukiele and others persuaded him he was not jumping into a lost cause.
Now to the big question.
Given Xhaka turns thirty four in September, so what’s next? Reinildo has been great for us this season, but he looks done to me. Maybe he’s carrying an injury, but it appears that a long, hard season is having an impact. I hope I’m wrong, but I can’t see him being more than a bit-part player next season — can the same be said for Xhaka?
Looking ahead and for those heading for the World Cup, there will not be much of a close season. The World Cup final is on 19 July and Sunderland play Liverpool in New Jersey on 25 July.
Players involved in the World Cup will likely play later in the USA tour, if at all, but there’s not much time for a break, so will Xhaka be able to cope with the demands of another full Premier League season? In my opinion, the short answer is no.
Xhaka has started approximately 80% of our games so far this season and I doubt the club will be prepared to take the risk that he can play the majority of games in 2026/2027.
Without his presence, we’ve looked a different team (survival versus targeting Europe) and it seems clear the club will look for further options during the upcoming transfer window — but will the club look for a backup player for Xhaka, or will they look for a starter with him as backup?
The first option is the higher risk for the club. If they bring in an up-and-coming youngster, there’s a significant risk they might not be up to the job if Xhaka does break down. In contrast, an established top class alternative is unlikely to want to warm the bench.
So what’s Xhaka’s view? I don’t know, but I’m going to speculate.
Clearly, his options are either to stay at Sunderland and play as many games as possible in one of the toughest leagues in world football or to seek to maximise the length of his playing career in a less intense league.
Although he holds UEFA ‘A’ and ‘B’ coaching badges, he’s stated that he wants to maximise his playing time. Therefore, I have a nasty feeling that if the club does bring in another high-profile player in his position, he’ll decide to move on. However, maybe there’s hope, as perhaps there’s more to the decision than simply maximising game time.
We don’t know what kind of discussions were held before he arrived, and I still find it hard to believe he would jump from a club that finished second in the Bundesliga to a club that at the time, seemed destined for a season fighting relegation — unless, that is, there was something more on offer than merely playing time and a healthy contract.
Was the offer to play for a couple of seasons, retire and take on the role of assistant head coach? I doubt just any coaching position would be an attractive proposition, but an assistant head coaching role? Possibly.
I hope there’s some sort of long-term tie-in, because I’d love Xhaka to stay.
I thought Lorik Cana was one of the best midfielders we’d in many years, but he only lasted for one season. I hope the same doesn’t happen with Xhaka.
