Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi said that Regis Le Bris’s players have been informed of a simple instruction this season: “Be Sunderland".
Sometimes, simplicity translates to success, and Sunderland have certainly found form by maintaining the club’s ethos and identity.
With 43 points after 31 matches on their return to the Premier League, the Black Cats have avoided a relegation scrap in the later knockings of the season.
Sunderland's Chemsdine Talbi celebrates scoring their first goal with Lutsharel Geertruida and Trai Hume
Before the March international break, Sunderland completed the double over bitter rivals Newcastle United, Brian Brobbey the hero as St. James’ Park was silenced in a dramatic turnaround victory.
Who has exemplified the Sunderland DNA to ensure Le Bris’s success. Granit Xhaka, of course, who was picked ahead of Jordan Henderson to lead the charge.
Xhaka vs Henderson in the Premier League
When Sunderland signed Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a deal rising to £17m, few would have expected him to star at a level beyond the lion’s share of midfielders in Europe.
But he has been “the signing of the season” in the Premier League, according to pundit Wayne Rooney. It’s a sentiment shared by many - and not just on Wearside.
Xhaka, 33, has not just led with the armband, but inspired his teammates and proved himself the perfect exponent of Le Bris’s tactical vision. Without him, Sunderland would have been in a tougher spot.
Before the campaign, many romanticised the potential return of Henderson, who left his boyhood club for Liverpool way back in 2011. Henderson, now 35, did return to the Premier League last year and has helped Brentford throughout their successful season, but Xhaka has outstripped him, and Le Bris will not regret his decision.
Premier League Comparison (25/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + assists
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Big chances created
Key passes*
Possession lost*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Duels won*
However, Xhaka is no spring chicken, and while he’s contracted until 2028, the veteran will need to pass the armband on at some stage.
There is no certainty that he will see out that deal, and a successor will be needed.
Sunderland already have Le Bris’s next captain
Sunderland have been riding the crest of a wave this season, but when Xhaka was absent from the starting line-up due to injury across January and February, they lost four of five fixtures.
Others need to step up, and in the long-term, that could be Dan Ballard, who has gone from strength to strength since joining the club from Arsenal in 2022.
Ballard-Sunderland
The 26-year-old centre-back has formed an almighty partnership with Omar Alderete, incredibly averaging 6.9 clearances per game in the Premier League while winning 60% of his duels. It is this level of hardy defending that has allowed Sunderland to play without fear, avoiding the pull of a relegation battle throughout the season.
The former Arsenal academy star has become ultra reliable in every situation, rarely knocked out of countenance even when pitted against some of the finest forwards in the world.
In that, he shares a core, essential quality with former Mackem man Henderson, whose successful career has been crafted through hard, industrious graft and an unflappable mentality.
Ballard, an accomplished international for Northern Ireland, is ready to take the next step in his development, especially when considering that Sunderland fan voices see him as a 'modern-day great' and someone who could lead down the line, reliable in all situations.
Though he was inhibited by injuries last season, he still played a central role in the Black Cats' promotion push, hailed as a "diamond" at the Stadium of Light by former boss Tony Mowbray.
Ballard's Sunderland Career (all comps)
Season
25/26
24/25
23/24
22/23
A natural-born leader and someone who has played an instrumental role in Sunderland's growth over the past several years, Ballard is now matching his impeccable mentality and leadership with first-class performances in the Premier League. He's thriving and he is here to stay.
The hope will be that Xhaka sticks around over the next several years, but if the Switzerland veteran does end up leaving before his contract is up, Le Bris has a ready-made successor to wear the armband and cement Sunderland's position back in the big time.
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