Ian Wright has made a bold claim about Sunderland star Granit Xhaka, and the stats back him up.
The former Arsenal midfielder returned to the Premier League in the summer following a glittering spell at Bayer Leverkusen, and he’s been a superb addition at the Stadium of Light so far. The Switzerland international has registered a goal and five assists in 28 Premier League appearances, while ranking first among his teammates for passes completed (1,157), and second for chances created (28).
Such has been his midfield control that former Manchester United duo Scholes and Keane, and ex-Arsenal striker Wright, have all named him as their top signing in the English top-flight this campaign. Discussing the topic on the latest episode of Stick to Football, it was Scholes who first brought up Xhaka’s name. After mentioning the likes of Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo and Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike, Wright then agreed with Scholes, with Keane sounding his approval throughout.
“Granit Xhaka has been brilliant for Sunderland,” said Wright. “For me, and for Sunderland, how important he was for Sunderland to stay up, I’ll go with Granit. He’s been magnificent for them.”
Where does Granit Xhaka rank among Sunderland players?
Of course, Xhaka was just one of a host of players to arrive on Wearside throughout the course of this season, so where does he rank among the current Sunderland squad in terms of his WhoScored player rating?
Nordi Mukiele - 7.03
Dan Ballard - 7.01
Granit Xhaka - 6.99
Omar Alderete - 6.96
Robin Roefs - 6.78
Melker Ellborg - 6.77
Reinildo Mandava - 6.72
Enzo Le Fée - 6.71
Jenson Seelt - 6.65
Trai Hume - 6.63
Noah Sadiki - 6.59
Bertrand Traoré - 6.55
Djiamgone Jocelin Ta Bi - 6.47
Brian Brobbey - 6.45
Habib Diarra - 6.43
Arthur Masuaku - 6.41
Dennis Cirkin - 6.38
Lutsharel Geertruida - 6.38
Chemsdine Talbi - 6.37
Simon Adingra - 6.31
Nilson Angulo - 6.30
Wilson Isidor - 6.29
Eliezer Mayenda - 6.29
Chris Rigg - 6.29
Romaine Mundle - 6.11
Patrick Roberts - 6.08
Marc Guiu - 6.04
Luke O'Nien - 6.03
Dan Neil - 6.00
The stats-backed formula has Xhaka third in Regis Le Bris’ squad with a rating of 6.99, ahead of the likes of Omar Alderete, Robin Roefs and Reinildo Mandava. Only Dan Ballard and Nordi Mukiele sit ahead of Xhaka, and it’s the latter who is the only new signing to statistically outperform the Swiss veteran. Of course, individual player stats don’t tell all. It’s no coincidence that Sunderland lost three of the four Premier League matches Xhaka has missed this season, winning just once without the 33-year-old and conceding 1.75 goals per game in his absence, compared to 1.04 with him.
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