Granit Xhaka delivers captain’s performance as exceptional stat emerges from Newcastle win
Granit Xhaka’s influence on Sunderland has been remarkable.
Nick Woltemade’s own-goal saw Sunderland record a memorable 1-0 win over rivals Newcastle in the Wear-Tyne derby on Sunday, with Xhaka dominating the midfield once again.
Xhaka has been an unbelievable signing for Sunderland, with the Switzerland international’s experience proving to be invaluable in the middle of the pitch.
The 33-year-old was a massive coup at the start of the season, but he has exceeded expectations as his leadership and mentality have shone through ever since his arrival.
Against Newcastle, the captain’s performance on the ball was exceptional, and he topped two different stats in the first league derby between the two sides since 2017.
Granit Xhaka outdoes the entire Newcastle team
After a couple of successful years with Bayer Leverkusen, Xhaka joined Sunderland for a fee of £17million, and he has already paid back every penny in only 11 matches.
Sunderland have a world-class midfielder on their hands, with his calming presence in the spine of the team allowing for Noah Sadiki to flourish.
However, Regis Le Bris’ star man was unplayable at times and provided that extra bit of quality that the Mackems were missing.
According to WhoScored, Xhaka played more passes (43) and had more touches (50) than any other player in the first half vs Newcastle.
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Pass accuracy | 51/65 (78%) |
| Ground duels won | 2/3 (67%) |
| Aerial duels won | 3/3 (100%) |
| Touches | 76 |
| Passes into final third | 10 |
This season, Xhaka has been one of the best midfielders in the league, and the stats prove it.
Xhaka has made 686 successful passes and 67 long balls, and he has dictated the tempo of each match he’s played in.
At the Stadium of Light, Xhaka has added an elite level of quality to the team, and he is spearheading Sunderland’s charge for European football.
The Black Cats were expected to be relegated at the start of the campaign, but their recruitment has seen them fly up the Premier League table with ease.
Granit Xhaka is surely the Premier League’s signing of the season
Xhaka’s impressive performances earned him a nomination for the September Player of the Month award, yet Erling Haaland was announced as the winner on 10 October.
The Swiss midfielder has certainly caught the eye, and he has probably been the best signing in the whole of the Premier League this season.
When looking at players from other clubs, the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Rayan Cherki, and Bryan Mbuemo have all had a big impact on their respective teams.
However, none of them have had as much of an impact on a club as Sunderland’s captain has.
Xhaka is hitting unbelievable heights in the top flight, and this latest stat has highlighted how influential he has become for the Black Cats.
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