Convincing Granit Xhaka to swap Bayer Leverkusen for Sunderland was a crucial moment in the summer transfer window
Florent Ghisolfi has hailed Granit Xhaka's decision to join Sunderland last summer as a pivotal moment in the club's successful campaign.
Sunderland return to Premier League action with their safety all but secured, and Xhaka's role on and off the pitch has been vital to the club confounding most pre-season expectations. Xhaka's decision to swap Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen for a potential relegation battle surprised many, but Ghisolfi said the midfielder had needed merely five minutes of talks to decide he wanted to take on the challenge.
Sunderland's director of football said that as well as being a player on the pitch, Xhaka's arrival strengthened his case significantly when pitching a move to Wearside to other players. It was, he said, crucial in showing that the club were serious about survival and a credible project for ambitious players.
Ghisolfi hailed Xhaka as a 'perfect' player.
"A very important signing for us, for the team and the club and also for the community," Ghisolfi told BBC’s Football Focus.
"I think Granit was a big statement for us, it was easier for me afterwards to work on the recruitment because we were more attractive [to players]. I didn't think the perfect player existed and now I know Granit. As a player and a leader he is amazing. He is also a big fit for the club and the community because his values are very close to Sunderland values. We are very proud he trusted the club and the community. I think he trusted the project and for a lot of people, I think he showed it was credible in the Premier League.
"The first discussion, the first video call, he said within five minutes 'I want to go there'. It was an important moment in our Premier League journey."
Xhaka is set for a crucial role in Sunderland's final seven games of the Premier League campaign, having had his minutes carefully managed over the recent international break as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Xhaka played 45 minutes in Switzerland's 4-3 defeat to Germany, before being rested for the 0-0 draw with Norway that followed.
Florent Ghisolfi’s first comments on summer transfer window
“We are working on the different scenarios but the most important is to know that we will stay in the league,” Ghisolfi told BBC Radio Newcastle.
“This is important for us to have clarity. Now, working on the organisation first, working on the facilities, because we need to anticipate and last summer was difficult for that. So now we have time and we are starting to work.For the summer, we will improve the team, of course, we'll try but you never know. We'll try but I think the stability will be the most important thing. The same idea as in the winter, I think will be very important.”
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