Troy Deeney believes that Sunderland’s £17million acquisition of former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka could prove to be the ‘signing of the season’.
Sunderland signed Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen after gaining promotion from the Championship via the play-offs.
And despite many fearing the worst for Regis Le Bris’ side this season, they have massively exceeded expectations, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table and just two points off the top four.
The Black Cats have lost only one of their last six games, and produced a remarkable turnaround to claim a 3-2 win against Bournemouth at home on Saturday.
Key to their form has been the performances of Xhaka, who returned to the English top-flight with a point to prove after leaving Mikel Arteta’s side to join Leverkusen in 2023.
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The Swiss international was made captain after signing in the summer and provided the assist for Sunderland’s equaliser at the weekend, his fourth of the season and the second-most of any midfielder in the league, behind Bruno Fernandes (five).
Wiothout the ball, Xhaka has also been superb in the heart of Sunderland’s engine room, winning 31 aerial duels already this season, the most of any midfielder.
Discussing his team of the week for the BBC, former Watford striker Deeney picked out Xhaka for his performance against Bournemouth, but also praised the 33-year-old for his consistent showings throughout the entire season thus far.
‘The boss. Sunderland ground out a hard-fought, resilient result and mentally dominated Bournemouth. Xhaka was at the heart of it,’ Deeney said.
‘Everything with quality came through him as well. Signing of the season so far. He looks an absolute steal and you start to wonder how Sunderland sold him on the venture.’
Wayne Rooney: ‘Xhaka has been brilliant’
Deeney’s comments echo the thoughts of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, who also highlighted Xhaka’s move to Sunderland as one the shrewdest signings of the summer.
‘He’s shown what a good player he is. You wondered if he could still do it in the Premier League, especially at a promoted team, but he’s probably been the signing of the season, he’s been that brilliant,’ Rooney said last month on his BBC Podcast.
‘It was a brave move to go to Sunderland despite them being a fantastic football club. Everyone tipped them to be relegated so he deserves credit for being up for that fight.
‘The fans love him and they will do with his performances on the pitch. It’s that desire and work-rate and influence he’s having on the other players.
‘He’s been incredible, I didn’t think he’d have a season like he’s having so far. Sunderland have a very young squad so he’ll almost be a father figure to some of the players and a big help to the coaches.’
Speaking earlier in the season, Arsenal boss Arteta insisted ‘he loved every minute’ of working with Xhaka, and only reluctantly let the midfielder leave when he expressed a desire to move closer to his family.
‘‘He made me a better coach, he helped us to develop and improve a lot as a football team and as a club, and I will be eternally grateful because I have great memories with him,’ the Spaniard said.
‘When he came in and explained the reasons, you have to understand the human being, you have to be grateful.
‘It was a unique opportunity for him to come back to his country, to his family, and there were certain things that he wanted to experience as well, and I believe it was the right moment.
‘He was very honest, as he is very straightforward as he always is and we’ll find a way to find a good solution for all of us.’
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