There is no debating that Xhaka was initially attracted by the possibility of being reunited with Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge. Alonso wanted the midfielder to be at the heart of his Chelsea rebuild, having seen at first hand what Xhaka was capable of during his time at Bayer Leverkusen. Chelsea were willing to back their new boss, albeit within strict financial parameters that meant a deal with Sunderland was always going to be hard to negotiate.
There was no way on earth the Black Cats were going to accept an £8m offer for Xhaka, having spent around £17.5m to bring him to Wearside 12 months ago. That was just a starting point for discussions though, and had Xhaka dug his heels in and demanded a move to Chelsea, the two clubs would almost certainly have had to come to some sort of arrangement that allowed the transfer to happen. That’s simply the way things tend to work in the transfer market nowadays.
Sunderland needed to know Xhaka’s position, and while the Switzerland international is understandably focusing on his nation’s attempts to win the World Cup, with last night’s win over Algeria having set up a last-16 game against either Colombia or Ghana, direct talks have taken place between Xhaka and the hierarchy at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland’s view is that those discussions have ended any notion of Xhaka leaving this summer. Of course, things can always change, and until Xhaka is still wearing a Sunderland shirt beyond the end of August, supporters will be understandably twitchy whenever rumours emerge or a certain social-media footballing influencer decides to post a message relating to the 33-year-old’s future.
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For now, though, the messaging coming out of Sunderland, from the very highest level, could hardly be any more forceful. Xhaka has reaffirmed his commitment to Sunderland and now wants to remain on Wearside. He is looking forward to the opportunity to lead the Black Cats back into European competition next season and values his strong relationship with the club’s supporters. He still believes in the long-term vision Kyril Louis-Dreyfus spelled out to him last summer and fervently believes in what Sunderland are trying to build and develop at the Stadium of Light.
From a Sunderland perspective, it is case closed. Whether Chelsea concede defeat remains to be seen, but having adopted such a strong stance, it is hard to see how the Black Cats can cave in now. Barring Xhaka going down the Alexander Isak route of downing tools and going on strike – something Sunderland are adamant he will not be doing – this feels like the end of a saga that was threatening to completely overshadow everything the club were hoping to do this summer.
If it is, then it is a notable success for Sunderland and a welcome shot in the arm for all those who bemoan the explosion of player power and the creation of a world in which a few posts on social media can transform a club’s fortunes overnight.
Sunderland refused to be cowed despite the mounting noise suggesting that losing their captain was all-but-inevitable and should emerge much stronger next season as a result. Tere is no doubting just how important Xhaka will be as they look to negotiate a season of Europa League football alongside their continued attempts to succeed in the Premier League.
Xhaka is Sunderland’s captain, their talisman and also the embodiment of the project that was so successfully sold to so many of the players that also arrived on Wearside last summer.
On the pitch, he has proved he is still one of the Premier League’s best midfielders, with his performances last season having received universal praise. Off it, he has been the glue holding Sunderland’s squad together, a powerful dressing-room presence who has Le Bris’ complete trust and support.
Had he left, not only would Louis-Dreyfus and Florent Ghisolfi have had to find a world-class central midfielder to replace him, they would also have somehow needed to furnish Regis Le Bris with the leadership qualities that Xhaka brings as the ideal footballing role model. As it is, having been rewarded for their steadfast stance, they can look to strengthen last season’s squad knowing that the key figure at the heart of it remains present.