Arjun Menon
Rooney Praises Xhaka’s Impact at Sunderland
Wayne Rooney has hailed Granit Xhaka as “probably the signing of the season” after the Sunderland captain’s stellar start to the Premier League campaign.
The Black Cats currently sit fourth in the table with 19 points from 11 games, a remarkable turnaround for a newly promoted side. Xhaka, a summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, has been instrumental in their success.
The 33-year-old has played every minute of Sunderland’s league games, scoring once and providing three assists. He leads the team in assists, chances created, touches, successful passes, duels won, possession won, and distance covered.
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Rooney’s High Praise
Rooney, speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, expressed his admiration for Xhaka’s impact: “Coming back to the Premier League you wonder if he can do it. Obviously with a promoted team as well coming up, what impact could he have? But he’s probably been the signing of the season. He has been brilliant.”
Xhaka’s journey from Arsenal, where he was often controversial, to becoming a key player at Leverkusen and now Sunderland, has been notable. Rooney highlighted Xhaka’s resilience and leadership: “When he had the situation with Arsenal, when he fell out with the fans it showed his character to go and play for Arsenal again.”
“To get through that and then go and perform for Arsenal, and then at Leverkusen to be part of a team to beat Bayern Munich to the title for the first time in over 10 years has shown what a good player he is.”
Rooney also noted Xhaka’s role as a mentor for Sunderland’s young squad: “Sunderland have got a very young squad as well. He’d almost be like a father figure and he’ll be a big help for the coach as well to be the in-between man as captain.”
“And they made a lot of signings in the summer, he’ll be a massive help for the manager and with them players, for sure, using his experience.”