Paul Merson astounded at Sunderland transfer news he’s heard from Florida
Sunderland will be entering the Premier League as underdogs, but their fans and players will try to enjoy every moment of it.
Regis Le Bris and his staff are working tirelessly behind the scenes to give them the best chance of surviving.
And they’ve done a great piece of business in signing Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss midfield star brings a ton of class and experience into the Sunderland squad, and it will be hoped he can be the talisman who encourages his teammates to up their game.
Paul Merson praises Sunderland for Xhaka signing
Sunderland have mostly taken punts on unproven players like Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi this summer, but there have also been some eye-catching deals.
The move for Xhaka has certainly made people sit up and take notice. Xhaka was part of the Bayer Leverkusen side that won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal without losing a game. He is the leading appearance-maker for Switzerland with 137 caps.
Last season, he proved he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. He made 33 Bundesliga appearances as Leverkusen finished runners-up, plus a further 10 in the Champions League. He’s still only 32 years old.
It’s an impressive coup for the Mackems, once the deal is finalised.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson isn’t the most active on social media, but he took the time to make a video while on holiday in Florida to praise Sunderland for the transfer.
He said: “What a signing for Sunderland, Xhaka. What a signing. I’m not going to say they’re going to stay up because I think it’s still going to be a major struggle, but it gives them the slightest chance.”
Xhaka is the type of player that improves those around him
Sunderland will still be the underdogs in the Premier League’s battle against relegation. They’ll need to make several more signings for that to change.
But the signing of Granit Xhaka would be a dream for any side in Sunderland’s position.
This is more than just a marquee signing. Xhaka will raise standards across the pitch.
| Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists |
| 49 | 4187 | 2 | 7 |
He is known for his unshakable determination. He’s the type of player who can transform a dressing room and drag his teammates up to new levels.
He’ll set the tone in training, share his knowledge with teammates and ensure they fight for every ball the same way that he does.
His presence alone could be enough to elevate younger players. He knows how to manage difficult moments and grind out results.
If he can help his teammates do that in their generous first run of Premier League fixtures, it could be the catalyst for something special at the Stadium of Light.
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