‘I was astonished by what Sunderland recently pulled off, they’re thriving now’ – Ian Darke
Sunderland have not looked like a newly-promoted side so far this season.
With 11 points from the first seven games, Sunderland are statistically on course to achieve Premier League survival.
By gameweek 10, any promoted side to have picked up 11 or more points has always gone on to avoid the drop, with Sunderland already at that tally with three games to spare.
Regis Le Bris deserves his credit for that, as do the likes of Kristjaan Speakman and Florent Ghisolfi, but one man in particular has earned his praise, and Ian Darke thinks it could be the best addition in the top flight this season.
Granit Xhaka has been outstanding for Sunderland
Still to this day, it sparks disbelief when fans see Granit Xhaka walking out at the Stadium of Light with the Sunderland armband on, which is a testament to the work that was done to bring him here.
From day one, Xhaka has been immense in the Premier League, and anyone who had doubts ability his ability to return to the elite level have been very quiet since.
While Robin Roefs will give him a run for his money, Xhaka is by far the most impactful signing the Black Cats made in the summer, and Darke thinks it could be the best one throughout the Premier League.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, he said: “So you’d have to say led by a grizzled campaigner like Granit Xhaka, brilliant signing who would be in my view a candidate already for one of the signings of the summer.
“You’d have to say that it’s not a freak, and they might be able to carry on keeping their heads well above water.
“I think Granit Xhaka is a contender at the moment for signing of the summer by any club in the Premier League.
“I was astonished when it happened because he’s a player with such a pedigree.
“He’d have had a few choices, and it’s great that he’s chosen the job at Sunderland. It’s great and it’s a coup for them to have got him, and they’re reaping the benefits of that now.”
Granit Xhaka’s season by numbers
Before his contributions on the pitch are even considered, Xhaka has been incredible for Sunderland.
His leadership and experience have shone on several occasions, and that will only benefit what is a young squad at the Stadium of Light.
However, his ability on it certainly hasn’t gone, with FotMob recording that the Swiss international has created four big chances this season in the Premier League, with three assists to his name.
The 33-year-old has completed 100 per cent of his attempted dribbles this season, while maintaining a tidy 83.8 per cent pass accuracy from 325 attempted passes.
If Sunderland can keep him fit, which, based on his fitness record, should not be an issue, they have a cheat code in midfield when it comes to surviving in the Premier League.
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