Online Reporter
FORMER Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney says Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is “probably the signing of the season”.
The Black Cats have been superb on their return to the English Premier League football and currently sit fourth after 11 games with 19 points, putting them well on the way to securing their primary objective of staying up this season.
Former Arsenal midfielder Xhaka has been a key factor in Sunderland’s strong start thanks to his experience and leadership skills.
He has played every minute of all their league games, scoring once and providing three assists.
This season he leads the way for the Sunderland in terms of assists, chances created, touches, successful passes, duels won, possession won and distance covered. The 33-year-old was one of several summer signings following promotion from the Championship, joining from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £13m. Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show: “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 made 297 appearances for Arsenal, winning two FA Cups.
But he was something of a pantomime villain — and sometimes much-maligned — at the Gunners. — BBC Sport.
Peter Tanyanyiwa