Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney says Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is “in all probability the signing of the season”.
The Black Cats have been excellent on their return to the Premier League and at the moment sit fourth after 11 video games with 19 factors, placing them properly on the way in which to securing their main goal of staying up this season.
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Former Arsenal midfielder Xhaka has been a key think about Sunderland’s robust begin because of his expertise and management expertise.
He has performed each minute of all their league video games, scoring as soon as and offering three assists.
This season he leads the way in which for the Sunderland by way of assists, possibilities created, touches, profitable passes, duels gained, possession gained and distance coated.
The 33-year-old was considered one of a number of summer season signings following promotion from the Championship, for an preliminary £13m.
Rooney stated on The Wayne Rooney Present: “Coming again to the Premier League you surprise if he can do it. Clearly with a promoted workforce as properly developing, what affect might he have?
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“However he is in all probability been the signing of the season. He has been sensible.”
Xhaka made 297 appearances for Arsenal, profitable two FA Cups.
However he was one thing of a pantomime villain – and typically much-maligned – on the Gunners.
He was despatched off 5 occasions for Arsenal and spent six weeks as captain in 2019, and was stripped of the armband.
However issues went higher underneath Mikel Arteta and he turned an necessary participant earlier than leaving in 2023 for Leverkusen, the place he helped them to their first Bundesliga title throughout his opening season.
“When he had the state of affairs with Arsenal, when he fell out with the followers it confirmed his character to go and play for Arsenal once more,” Rooney added.
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“To get by means of that after which go and carry out for Arsenal, after which at Leverkusen to be a part of a workforce to beat Bayern Munich to the title for the primary time in over 10 years has proven what participant he’s.
“Sunderland have gotten a really younger squad as properly. He’d virtually be like a father determine and he’ll be an enormous assist for the coach as properly to be the in-between man as captain.
“They usually made lots of signings in the summertime, he’ll be a large assist for the supervisor and with them gamers, for certain, utilizing his expertise.”
[BBC]
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