Sunderland Captain Granit Xhaka Sure to Stay at Club: Big Win for Black Cats
Granit Xhaka has delivered big news for Sunderland, after he confirmed he will stay with the team and not leave this summer. This decision adds strength to their campaign for Europe.
A big boost for Sunderland has been received after their captain Granit Xhaka announced that he will continue to play for the team. The Swiss international admitted, in the Blick interview reported by Sport Witness, that he has no intention of leaving or moving this summer. According to Xhaka, his family is happy and settled in Wearside and the transfer speculations do not affect his mind.
"Throughout my career, I have been guided by feeling and deep conversations. My move from Bayer Leverkusen to Sunderland was not a random decision, but the result of a long discussion with the owner, sporting director, and coach," said the 33-year-old midfielder.
In his first season, Xhaka made an immediate impact on the Black Cats' campaign, making 36 appearances in all competitions, propelling the club towards European qualification, and being named Sunderland Player of the Year. He had one goal and six assists in 32 Premier League appearances — praised for his leadership and repair in midfield.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5tf68cR14py_ENU7yNX5Zw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD03OTk7Y2Y9d2VicA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_4th_official_articles_868/c559b3d106640883c253bf1b5d77b28f" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>Despite reports from Turkey linking him to Besiktas, it is clear that the club wants to keep him, and he is still under contract until 2028. Xhaka also does not want to be distracted from his focus for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and is glad that he has nothing to do but focus on football at the moment, according to his statement.
Xhaka even compared Sunderland to Basel, specifically in the district of St. Johann where he grew up, so he found the city like a second home. He also praised coach Regis Le Bris and called him similar to Arsène Wenger for his calm approach and intense tactical planning in training.
Sunderland fans have high expectations now, especially since the club will compete in the Europa League. For followers, if Xhaka were to lose, it would be a huge blow to the team as it would be very difficult to replace his experience, composure and leadership in just one transfer window.
Sunderland are already planning more midfield support for Le Bris, according to reports, but it's clear — the blueprint is Xhaka himself. It is not logical to sell the original and replace it with a similar one. He is in good shape, happy, and in top form. For Sunderland, Granit Xhaka is still their captain until 2028, nothing to worry about.
