All 29 words Alan Shearer said about the Sunderland player who impressed him most vs Chelsea
Sunderland scored a famous victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, beating Chelsea for the first time since 2016.
Chemsdine Talbi‘s neat stoppage-time finish saw Sunderland beat Chelsea 2-1, and sent the away end into raptures.
Alejandro Garnacho had put the home side ahead after just four minutes, but Wilson Isidor was on hand to equalise midway through the first half.
Regis Le Bris was lauded for his side’s tactical flexibility against Chelsea, with the Black Cats constantly shifting positions to adapt to their opponents.
Keith Hackett told Mackem News that Talbi’s goal should have been ruled out, however, with Lutsharel Geertruida standing in an offside position when the winger took the shot.
Alan Shearer waxes lyrical after ‘midfield masterclass’
Granit Xhaka was compared to John Terry after Sunderland’s win against Chelsea, with the Switzerland international leading his team to victory.
The 33-year-old was touted as a good addition to Le Bris‘ side when he arrived in the summer, but the Frenchman could not have possibly predicted the magnitude of the impact the midfielder would have.
Xhaka has been nothing less than transformational for Sunderland this season, and, despite getting on towards his mid-30s, still constantly tops the charts for the distance he covers.
Alan Shearer joined in on the lauding of the former Arsenal man, selecting Xhaka for his Premier League team of the week.
The former Newcastle United striker said that the Sunderland man “produced a midfield masterclass“.
“He was on another level, keeping the ball moving, thwarting several Chelsea attacks and once again showing why he’s been an incredible signing for Sunderland,” Shearer added.
Granit Xhaka’s stunning performance in numbers
Xhaka was viewed as a sitting deep-lying playmaker in his first years in the Premier League. The Switzerland international would be placed at the base of Arsenal’s midfield, and tasked with spreading the play.
| Granit Xhaka | Premier League 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 9 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Chances created | 11 |
| Tackles | 17 |
| Duels won | 56 |
| Interceptions | 11 |
| Recoveries | 43 |
But it was never a position that suited him, and the former Basel man struggled to adapt. Mikel Arteta’s arrival saw the midfielder transformed into a box-to-box runner, and Xhaka has never looked back.
Against Chelsea, he was everywhere, completing 29 of his 39 passes, and completing four long balls.
But it was his defensive contribution that attracted the plaudits, with Xhaka making four tackles, two clearances, and two recoveries.
In the duel, the 33-year-old was ruthless, winning four of his five ground duels and both of his aerial duels.
Shearer is right to call Xhaka an “incredible” signing for Sunderland, because the midfielder currently stands among the summer’s best pieces of business.
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