(KD) – Not everyone understood Granit Xhaka's move from the German runners-up to the team returning to the Premier League after a long time. But the move from Bayer Leverkusen to Sunderland is turning out to be a great fit for both Xhaka and the English team.
Although Sunderland were given little chance of surviving in the Premier League at the start of the campaign, that has now changed. And it's thanks to Xhaka.
He is the undisputed leader on the pitch, and in six appearances he has already made three assists in the Premier League. Sunderland won 1-0 away to Nottingham on Saturday, with the assist for the only goal coming from team captain Xhaka.
With 11 points from six games, Sunderland are well on their way to securing their place in the English top flight. That's why Xhaka was brought in.
He has already made it all his own at Sunderland, while having the respect of everyone involved in English football.
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"We need a captain like Granit because he offers us so much. He can control the pace and understands the game as a future coach and a role model for the player. He knows how to manage the game in real time," said Sunderland manager Regis Le Brice after the latest victory.
Meanwhile, Sunderland fans are writing in superlatives about the 33-year-old midfielder. Media close to the club are writing that Xhaka has become the team's "transformer".
"Xhaka has returned to the player that Kevin De Bruyne was in his prime," one fan wrote.
"Granit Xhaka is incredible. I still can't believe he plays for Sunderland," wrote another fan.
"Xhaka should be the transfer of the season", "The entire Sunderland team is working on Xhaka's engine... What a player", "What an assist from Xhaka, Premier League class", "Xhaka is phenomenal, the Conference League is waiting", are some of the other posts about Xhaka.
Xhaka himself said that the team showed what it needed in the match against Nottingham Forest.
"We had a game plan and we knew it would be very difficult here. But what a mentality from the team. That's exactly what we needed. The support from the fans was great. It's good to win like this. Of course Nottingham were the better team today, but football is not about who is better on the pitch, it's about who scores the most goals. We won and we are very happy," Xhaka stressed.
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"Xhaka has raised the standard of Sunderland"
He said he is working every day to show the other players how professional they need to be at this level. He is very happy with the team's mentality.
"There are many things ahead of us, but I am happy to be here with this team and this football club," Xhaka emphasized.
