Sunderland’s season has been nothing short of remarkable, and one player stands out as the heartbeat of their success: Granit Xhaka. But here’s where it gets intriguing—the former Arsenal midfielder, now 33, has not only brought experience but has become the linchpin of the Black Cats’ resurgence. Among the summer signings, Xhaka’s leadership has been pivotal, especially in games where his calming presence turned the tide. Take the recent match against Leeds, for instance. Introduced just before the hour mark after returning from injury, Xhaka’s impact was immediate. Sunderland, who had been outplayed until then, found their footing and secured a crucial away win—their first since October—thanks to Habib Diarra’s penalty. And this is the part most people miss: Xhaka’s ability to steady the ship during 12 nail-biting minutes of injury time was just as crucial as the goal itself.
In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, Xhaka revealed the team’s mindset: ‘We set a target of 40 points at the start of the season, and now that we’ve hit it, our hunger only grows. We know where we’ve come from, so staying humble is key. But ambition? That’s non-negotiable. We’re taking it one game at a time, but we’re aiming higher.’ Bold words, but they reflect a team that’s far from satisfied.
But here’s the controversial part: While Xhaka’s influence is undeniable, head coach Regis le Bris deserves equal credit—and this is where opinions might diverge. The Frenchman has masterminded some stunning results, including the Leeds victory, by setting up his team to frustrate opponents while capitalizing on rare attacking opportunities. Sunderland’s win at Leeds marked just the fifth time this Premier League season a team has won with only one shot on target—and Sunderland now hold two of those records. Le Bris’s pragmatic approach has worked, but is it sustainable? Or is it a risky strategy that could backfire? ‘We don’t know if it will be enough, but we’re staying ambitious,’ Le Bris admitted. ‘Next target: 43 points. Let’s keep pushing.’
Meanwhile, Leeds are left licking their wounds. A win would have put them nine points clear of third-bottom West Ham, but now they’re staring at a potential three-point gap after Wednesday’s fixtures. Daniel Farke’s side dominated possession but failed to truly test debutant goalkeeper Melker Ellborg. The penalty that sealed their fate? Avoidable. Ethan Ampadu’s handball, after blocking Wilson Isidor’s shot, was a costly error. Diarra’s penalty wasn’t pretty—it hit keeper Karl Darlow’s hip before squirming in—but it was enough. Leeds now face a tough trip to Crystal Palace, while Farke, winless in four games, insists: ‘We’re not far off. We just need to act with more brutality.’
Here’s the question for you: Is Sunderland’s success this season a testament to Xhaka’s leadership and Le Bris’s tactics, or are they overperforming? And for Leeds, is their recent slump a minor hiccup or a sign of deeper issues? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
