Sunderland have double Xhaka boost as long-term plan in place

Granit Xhaka is officially a Sunderland player, and it looks as if he could have an impact at the club long after he's retired.

Sunderland have been widely praised for signing Xhaka, who was a key part of Bayer Leverkusen's league and cup double two seasons ago.

Xhaka is Switzerland's leading cap holder, but he's still only 32 and will hopefully remain fit enough to assist Sunderland in the Premier League for many years.

Even so, it appears as if the Swiss may have also had one eye on his retirement when agreeing to move to Wearside.

Xhaka has one eye on player-coach role at Sunderland

Xhaka's relationship with Sunderland's Swiss owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus likely played a huge role in the transfer.

It was previously reported that Louis-Dreyfus personally convinced Xhaka to become a part of his project. He was also offered the captain's armband.

However, according to BILD (30 July), Xhaka also discussed the possibility of becoming a coach later on in his Sunderland career.

Xhaka has already earned several of the necessary coaching badges, and is just missing his UEFA pro license.

This would allow him to continue helping his teammates long after his playing days are over.

Xhaka has all the attributes to become a fantastic coach

Xhaka's arrival will undoubtedly improve Sunderland's performance on the pitch.

His tenacity, work rate, leadership skills and class on the ball are exactly what Sunderland will need as they fight to establish themselves in the Premier League.

It's absolutely the right decision to offer Xhaka the captain's armband, and he has all the attributes to become a fantastic coach one day as well.

Throughout his career, he has shown:

• Tactical intelligence

• Supreme passion for the game

• Inspiration for younger players

• An ability to succeed at the highest level

Perhaps he lacked discipline at times during his spell at Arsenal, but this has improved in the last couple of years.

Let's not forget he has already been coached by the likes of Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Xabi Alonso.

Sunderland splashed out £13million for Xhaka, and he'll be on significant wages, but this will surely prove to be one of Louis-Dreyfus' smartest investments.

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