Lee Morrison says…
From the media day video you can see that there’s a sense of awe which mirrors our own when it comes to Xhaka. Although the decision is slightly bittersweet regarding Dan Neil, you need to consider the reality of the situation: Xhaka has the most Premier League experience by some distance.
Not only that, but he’s clearly a natural leader on the pitch. He has Champions League experience, has won titles, and is going to be the person that others look to for guidance.
A brilliant decision which just makes me even more excited for the start of the season.
Dan Harrison says…
Granit Xhaka being made captain is a fantastic transition into the Premier League for Sunderland, as it gives them a true vocal leader to help them through the toughest campaign of their careers.
From clips behind the scenes and media days, etc, it’s clear Xhaka commands a level of admiration/idolisation but most importantly respect from all of the players in the squad around him.
He’s coming here off the back of playing in some real high-pressure games and has the vocal capacity on the pitch, as we’ve seen in the friendlies, to really organise his side, both in front of and behind him.
Whilst seeing Dan Neil lose his captaincy, it’s for the betterment of the club going forward, and whilst I’m sure Neil will be disappointed and understandably so, I don’t think he will have too many qualms about the person who’s taken the armband from him.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Granit Xhaka poses for pictures after being announced as Sunderland club captain at The Academy of Light on August 13, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Granit Xhaka poses for pictures after being announced as Sunderland club captain at The Academy of Light on August 13, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Alex Charlton says…
Firstly, I feel a little bit for Dan Neil. I thought he did a valiant job last year after a tricky start. However, this is the Premier League and Xhaka is a world-class leader.
On the international stage, he has led by example, and he has a Bundesliga title under his belt.
This is a sign of how far Sunderland have come. All good teams need somebody to look up to, and this man can galvanise our young squad.
Can’t wait to see him in the derby!
Ben McKevitt says…
It’s the natural progression for us right now. Neil is a great player, has had a great story, and as a homegrown talent, he served us and the club well in a wonderful season, despite being just 22 when he took on the captaincy.
However, Xhaka is an absolute veteran of the game and would be the leader from the middle of the park regardless of who had the armband. There is no doubt in my mind that his ability to command and organise will be a pivotal factor for us in every game this season, and so his ascendancy is the smart and rational choice at this moment.
I’m buzzing to see him take up the position - it’s still something of a pinch me moment. It does come with a bittersweet feeling, which has surrounded much of the Wembley XI’s replacement in anticipation of the Premier League, but all of those lads still have a role to play behind the scenes, and I’m sure the leadership group won’t be void of some Sunderland-specific experience.
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 09: Granit Xhaka of Sunderland during warm up prior to the pre-season friendly match between Augsburg and Sunderland at WWK ARENA on August 09, 2025 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Sunderland AFC/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 09: Granit Xhaka of Sunderland during warm up prior to the pre-season friendly match between Augsburg and Sunderland at WWK ARENA on August 09, 2025 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Sunderland AFC/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Joseph Tulip says…
Hopefully, this is a win-win situation for Sunderland. First up, we are getting a vastly experienced Premier League player and seasoned captain. From that point of view, it is a no-brainer to make Xhaka captain.
Secondly, if it is true that Dan Neil is staying and is prepared to fight for his place, then he can learn a lot from Granit and potentially take over as skipper a bit further down the line.
Promotion to the Premier League is a learning curve for our players who have come up through the divisions. There have to be some compromises to give us a fighting chance of survival, and if the likes of Neil buy into thi,s it can only be a good thing.
I’d like to have seen Neil mentioned in the club’s announcement of Xhaka as captain. This would have acknowledged his valued contribution in recent seasons. Nevertheless, I hope Xhaka takes Neil and the others under his wing and we all progress together.
Nic Wiseman says…
The transition from Championship club to viable Premier League club is brutal and there will be casualties along the way. If Dan Neil is the professional player he’s often painted, he will accept this and use it as an incentive to improve — which is the mark of a good pro. I was one of the ones who was surprised when he was made team captain, but have to concede that the role suited him perfectly.
The armband going to Granit Xhaka is a logical progression on the road to a stable Premier League club. I’m a little uncomfortable, however, at the way we seem to be chewing up and spitting out a few along the way. But I’ll leave that for another more expansive piece.
Yes. It’s a good step. Xhaka has shown himself to be a brilliant professional and good bloke in all the media postings by the club, but I can’t help feeling a little sad for the way we’re treating those who got us here in the first place.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Granit Xhaka poses for pictures after being announced as Sunderland club Captain at The Academy of Light on August 13, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Granit Xhaka poses for pictures after being announced as Sunderland club Captain at The Academy of Light on August 13, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Phil West says…
I get it. I really do.
Xhaka’s got immense experience and superb leadership credentials as a former Arsenal captain, a longtime Swiss international and a member of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen ‘Invincibles’, and I do not doubt that he’ll do a superb job as Sunderland captain.
However, I think it needs to be emphasised that Dan Neil did a stellar job last season — in a playing role that wasn’t natural to him — and although his Wembley performance wasn’t his finest, nobody could argue that he didn’t deserve to make history under the arch back in May.
I want to see Neil respond strongly now, to get his head down, work as hard as possible, and show why he can and should have a future at Sunderland.
Without the pressure of the armband and the scrutiny that goes with it, perhaps he’ll be freed up to do what he does best — and Xhaka certainly has the status and the ability to lead this young side through its maiden top-flight campaign.
All told, probably the right call, and another decision that could have a huge bearing on our prospects for the coming season.