What Alan Shearer once said about ‘magnificent’ Sunderland target will surely excite the fans
Sunderland’s incredible start to the Premier League campaign could get even better with further spending in the January transfer window.
Ahead of Sunderland visiting Fulham on Saturday (November 22), the Black Cats find themselves in fourth position, and remarkably, only three points behind second-place Manchester City.
Regis Le Bris deserves immense credit for masterminding an unthinkable start to the campaign, with Sunderland’s signing of Granit Xhaka paying dividends.
The all-action midfielder has wowed on his return in the Premier League with some incredible performances, and Fulham will surely fear Xhaka’s presence as he’s never lost against them.
The 33-year-old has slotted into his role as captain like a glove, and could now be joined by one of his former teammates at the Emirates.
Alan Shearer called Sunderland target Matteo Guendouzi ‘magnificent’
Sunderland were linked with ex-Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi in the summer, and that interest has since resurfaced ahead of January.
Le Bris confirmed that Guendouzi is of interest to Sunderland, with the Lazio midfielder potentially heading back to the Premier League.
It’s news that will delight Xhaka, who played alongside him for four years at the Emirates, while even Alan Shearer could welcome his return.
Speaking about the Frenchman’s performance during Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa in 2019, the Newcastle legend hailed Guendouzi as ‘magnificent’.
“This guy Guendouzi was absolutely magnificent in the second half, they needed a warrior and he stood up,” Shearer said on Match of the Day 2.
On Guendouzi’s pass to Chambers, Shearer added: “Again Guendouzi, super ball in, weight of pass. Yes, they get a little bit of luck but he [Calum Chambers] finishes it off.”
Guendouzi’s elite ball-playing numbers
The prospect of Guendouzi playing alongside Xhaka at the Stadium of Light is mouth-watering, and the 26-year-old would add class in abundance to their engine room.
According to FBref, the midfield destroyer also boasts top-drawer ball-playing metrics, ranking in the top 10 per cent of midfielders across Europe for pass completion, the top five per cent for progressive passes, and the top eight per cent for progressive carries.
| Matteo Guendouzi’s stats per 90 past year |
| 90% pass completion |
| 8.18 progressive passes |
| 2.42 progressive carries |
| 7.38 passes into the final third |
| 1.3 key passes |
With Sunderland eyeing a shock European finish, the addition of Guendouzi could add extra control in the middle of the park and send their rivals a statement.
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