Why Everton draw was a good point for Sunderland
Granit Xhaka has been a standout performer for Sunderland so far this season
TalkSPORT pundit Ally McCoist and ex-Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce have heaped praise on “outstanding” Black Cats skipper Granit Xhaka, with the former suggesting that the midfielder may be “signing of the season”.
The Swiss veteran has been an instrumental presence for Regis Le Bris’ side ever since he arrived in a high profile move from Bayer Leverkusen over the summer, and netted his first goal in red and white during Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Everton.
And in the aftermath of that clash, McCoist spoke to fellow pundit Ray Parlour about the impact that Xhaka has made during his first few weeks at the Stadium of Light.
What did Ally McCoist say about Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka?
In a conversation about Xhaka on talkSPORT, McCoist said: “Granit Xhaka, he might be the signing of the season...”, to which Parlour replied: “Absolutely. Look, he's very experienced. He was brilliant at Arsenal, that last season. He had his spells when he got a lot of stick from the crowd, when he took his shirt off...”
McCoist interjected: “He did. I'll say one thing about him, Ray, and you'd be better qualified than me to talk about it... See, when he had that period when he fell out with the Arsenal fans - honestly, mate, you know how difficult it can be - I didn't think there was any way back. But fair play, to him and the fans.”
Parlour continued: “It shows you his character, which is very important. I think the young players in that Sunderland team are really looking at him. You see it at the end of the game. He wants to say to every single player, ‘Well done, good performance’. But I think he's really enjoying it as well. I think he's really enjoying being back in the Premier League. Because, you know, he's gone to Germany - of course he enjoyed it in Germany - but then you can see that he really enjoyed it at Arsenal at times. I mean, that competitive nature, the league itself is tough. And I think he's really stepped up.
“And I think the Sunderland, they love him up there now. He's brilliant, and what a skipper to have. I mean, experience, and he's played in some big, big games for Arsenal. And yeah, as you rightly said, I didn't think there was no way back for him [at Arsenal]. But he come back, and he was absolutely brilliant. Superb.”
McCoist added: “They [Sunderland fans] can't get enough of him.”
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What did Sam Allardyce say about Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka?
Former Sunderland boss Allardyce was then brought into the discussion, adding: “He looks top drawer, Ally. I mean, well, he's always looked top drawer, but probably looks more outstanding at Sunderland than he did at Arsenal, perhaps, because there was obviously - without disrespecting the Sunderland players - but better players around him at Arsenal, of course.
“He is, from his experience and what he knows and the position he's been played in by the manager, he's just outstanding. And a leader. He looks like that leader, you know what I mean? That one where he can control other players on the pitch. The one the manager loves. Instead of screaming and shouting from the touchline, they know he can leave it to him and he'll sort it out. And his passing game and his composure, for me, is outstanding.”
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