Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has spoken of his delight at returning to English football, despite not anticipating a move back to the Premier League after his triumphant stint in Germany. The player, who previously represented Arsenal, rejoined the English top flight with Sunderland after a title-winning season with Bayer Leverkusen.
A Career Resurrected
Table of Contents
- 1. A Career Resurrected
- 2. Unexpected Return
- 3. From Villain to valued Player
- 4. A Mature Professional
- 5. The Evolving Role of the midfielder
- 6. Frequently Asked Questions about Granit Xhaka
- 7. How has Granit Xhaka’s arrival altered Sunderland’s tactical approach, specifically regarding possession and defensive strategies?
- 8. Granit Xhaka: The Midfield Maestro Leading Sunderland into the Top Four
- 9. Xhaka’s Impact on Sunderland’s Tactical Approach
- 10. Statistical Breakdown: Xhaka’s Key Championship Numbers (2025/26 Season – to date)
- 11. The Xhaka-Pritchard Partnership: A Championship Powerhouse
- 12. Beyond the Stats: Xhaka’s Influence on Team Mentality
- 13. Sunderland’s Road to the Top Four: Key Matches & Xhaka’s role
Xhaka initially played 297 games for Arsenal between 2016 and 2023. He then secured a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, where he was a pivotal figure in their undefeated domestic campaign in 2023-24, earning a championship title under the guidance of Xabi Alonso.
Unexpected Return
despite initial indications that Xhaka would remain with Leverkusen – a point emphasized by then-manager Erik ten hag – the midfielder ultimately opted for a move to Sunderland. This transfer occurred shortly before Ten Hag’s dismissal from his position.
“I did not expect to come back after Germany, but you never know where you land,” Xhaka stated.”To be back made me happy. I knew the project to bring experience and show the guys day by day. It makes me happy to score a goal.”
From Villain to valued Player
Xhaka’s time at Arsenal was characterized by periods of both brilliance and frustration. He faced criticism from fans and was even stripped of the captaincy after a series of disciplinary issues, including five red cards during his tenure with the Gunners.
Though, his performances improved under Manager mikel Arteta, establishing him as a key component of the squad before his departure for Germany in 2023.His current impact at Sunderland has drawn comparisons to his revitalized form.
Football analyst Jamie Carragher remarked on Xhaka’s resilience: “After what he went thru at Arsenal, he showed great character to come back from that. The impact he has had, if he can be part of a sunderland team who finishes in the top 10 – or even just stays up – he will be remembered for a very long time.”
A Mature Professional
Former Sunderland player Marco Gabbiadini lauded Xhaka as a “top professional,” noting a noticeable maturation in his playing style. “When he was an Arsenal player at times you felt like he was a bit of a villain,” said Gabbiadini. “Over the years we have seen him mature and develop. We’ve seen a slightly more restrained version of Xhaka, but it’s actually better than the fully committed, blowing steam out of his ears sort of player that we saw at Arsenal. He’s a little bit more measured, calmer and a better professional. To have that in your squad especially when you’ve got a young squad, and everyone believes in him, he’s a talisman.”
| Club | Years | Appearances | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 2016-2023 | 297 | FA Cup Winner (2020) |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2023-2024 | N/A | Bundesliga Champion (2024) |
| Sunderland | 2024-Present | N/A | N/A |
Did You Know? Granit Xhaka’s brother, Taulant xhaka, is also a professional footballer, and the two faced each other on opposite sides in a European Championship match in 2016.
Pro Tip: When evaluating a player’s impact, consider their resilience and ability to adapt after setbacks – qualities clearly demonstrated by Granit Xhaka.
The Evolving Role of the midfielder
The role of the central midfielder has dramatically changed in modern football. Once primarily focused on ball-winning and distribution, the position now demands a broader skillset including creativity, defensive awareness, and tactical intelligence. players like Xhaka represent this evolution, demonstrating an ability to adapt their game and contribute in multiple phases of play. The Guardian offers a detailed analysis of this trend.
Frequently Asked Questions about Granit Xhaka
- What is Granit Xhaka known for? He is known for his combative style of play, passing range, and recent presentation of resilience after a challenging period at Arsenal.
- What teams has Granit Xhaka played for? He has played for Basel, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, and Sunderland.
- What was Xhaka’s role at Bayer Leverkusen? He was a key player in Bayer Leverkusen’s undefeated Bundesliga winning season under Xabi Alonso.
- why did Xhaka leave Leverkusen for Sunderland? The details were not fully disclosed,but Xhaka expressed a desire to return to English football.
- What is Xhaka’s current role at Sunderland? He is expected to bring experience and leadership to a young Sunderland squad.
What do you think of Xhaka’s career trajectory? Do you believe he has found a fitting environment to showcase his matured talents at Sunderland?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and continue the conversation!
How has Granit Xhaka’s arrival altered Sunderland’s tactical approach, specifically regarding possession and defensive strategies?
Granit Xhaka: The Midfield Maestro Leading Sunderland into the Top Four
Xhaka’s Impact on Sunderland’s Tactical Approach
Granit Xhaka’s move to Sunderland was initially met with skepticism. Many questioned weather the experienced, often-controversial midfielder could adapt to the Championship and, more importantly, elevate Sunderland’s ambitions. Fast forward to November 2025, and Xhaka isn’t just adapting – he’s transforming the black Cats into genuine promotion contenders. His influence extends far beyond simply winning tackles; it’s about dictating tempo, providing defensive solidity, and unlocking attacking potential.
* Possession-Based Football: Xhaka’s passing range and accuracy are central to Sunderland’s increased possession. He consistently completes over 85% of his passes, often breaking lines with incisive through balls.
* Defensive Shield: While known for his aggressive tackling, Xhaka’s positional awareness and interceptions have been crucial in shielding the Sunderland back four.
* Leadership Qualities: He’s quickly become a vocal leader on the pitch, organizing the midfield and demanding high standards from his teammates.
Statistical Breakdown: Xhaka’s Key Championship Numbers (2025/26 Season – to date)
Analyzing Xhaka’s statistics reveals the depth of his contribution. These aren’t just vanity numbers; they directly correlate with Sunderland’s improved form.
- Pass Completion Rate: 87.2% (League Leader amongst central midfielders with >20 appearances)
- Interceptions Per Game: 2.1 (Top 5 in the championship)
- Tackles won per Game: 2.8
- Key Passes Per Game: 1.5 (Creating significant scoring opportunities)
- Distance Covered Per Game: 11.8km (Demonstrating high work rate)
- Prosperous Pressure %: 32.5% (Effective in winning the ball back in advanced areas)
These figures highlight Xhaka’s all-around ability – a blend of technical skill, tactical intelligence, and physical endurance. Comparing these stats to his previous Premier League performances shows a refined,more disciplined approach to the game. He’s adapted his style to suit the demands of the championship, focusing on control and efficiency.
The Xhaka-Pritchard Partnership: A Championship Powerhouse
The dynamic between Xhaka and Sunderland’s creative midfielder,Alex pritchard,has been a key factor in their success. Pritchard’s flair and dribbling ability are perfectly complemented by Xhaka’s stability and passing prowess.
* Complementary Skillsets: Pritchard thrives in the pockets of space created by Xhaka’s deep-lying playmaking.
* Defensive Cover: Xhaka allows Pritchard the freedom to express himself offensively, knowing he has solid defensive cover behind him.
* Goalscoring Threat: The partnership has contributed to a significant increase in Sunderland’s goal tally, with both players directly involved in several key goals.
This midfield pairing is arguably the best in the Championship, providing a balance of creativity, work rate, and defensive resilience. opponents consistently struggle to contain their combined threat.
Beyond the Stats: Xhaka’s Influence on Team Mentality
Xhaka’s impact isn’t solely measured in statistics. his presence has instilled a winning mentality within the Sunderland squad. He demands accountability and encourages his teammates to push their limits.
* Increased Intensity in Training: Reports from the sunderland training ground suggest Xhaka sets a high standard in every session.
* Improved defensive organization: The team’s defensive structure has noticeably improved since his arrival, with players demonstrating a greater understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
* Belief in Promotion: Xhaka’s confidence and leadership have fostered a belief within the squad that they can achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Sunderland’s Road to the Top Four: Key Matches & Xhaka’s role
Several key matches this season have showcased Xhaka’s importance to Sunderland’s top-four push.
* Sunderland 2-1 Norwich City (October 14th, 2025): Xhaka scored the winning goal with a stunning long-range strike, demonstrating his ability to contribute in the final third.He also completed 92% of his passes and made 4 interceptions.
* Sunderland 3-0 West Bromwich Albion (November 1st, 2025): Xhaka dictated the tempo of the game, completing 78 passes in the opposition half and providing the assist for sunderland’s second goal.
* Sunderland 1-1 Leeds United (October 28th, 2025): A hard-fought draw against a promotion rival, where Xhaka’s defensive work rate and tactical awareness were crucial in limiting Leeds’ attacking threat.
