Sunderland hit the jackpot on “complete” talent who’s worth more than Xhaka
da betobet： Sunderland’s first summer back in the Premier League was always going to be a test of ambition and planning.
da poker： After a decade away, the club made headlines with a remarkable £141.5m transfer outlay.
Their recruitment drive was both bold and targeted, bringing in Habib Diarra from Strasbourg, Simon Adingra from Brighton, Chemsdine Talbi from Club Brugge, Brian Brobbey from Ajax, and Nordi Mukiele from PSG.
The early signs suggest that Sunderland’s gamble is already paying off.
A 3-0 win against West Ham on opening day at a sold-out Stadium of Light was the dream start, even if reality soon bit with a 2-0 defeat away at Burnley.
A last-gasp Wilson Isidor winner against Brentford restored momentum, before a gritty goalless draw with Crystal Palace added another point.
With Aston Villa the next visitors, Sunderland are still finding their rhythm, but their blend of youth and experience has drawn comparisons with sides that built stability quickly after promotion.
At the centre of this are two midfielders at very different stages of their careers. One, a veteran leader who has seen it all across Europe.
The other, a 20-year-old whose performances are already hinting at a future transfer value more than double what Sunderland paid.
Granit Xhaka's importance to Sunderland
When Sunderland secured the signing of Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for £17m, many questioned whether the 32-year-old would be the right fit for a newly promoted side.
But Xhaka’s pedigree speaks for itself.
Over seven seasons with Arsenal, he made 297 appearances, won two FA Cups, and established himself as one of the Premier League’s most combative midfielders.
His return to England comes after a remarkable spell in Germany.
Joining Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side in 2023, Xhaka played a pivotal role in guiding the club to their first ever Bundesliga title, going unbeaten in the process.
He was also part of the squad that came agonisingly close to an unbeaten treble, only to be stopped in the Europa League final by an Ademola Lookman hat-trick for Atalanta.
Statistically, Xhaka remains one of the most progressive passers in European football.
Granit Xhaka – 2024/25
Matches Played
33
Goals
2
Assists
7
Progressive Passes
318
Progressive Carries
42
Source: FBref
Last season, he averaged 9.91 progressive passes per 90, ranking him among the best in his position.
His 50.2 carries per 90 also show how comfortably he advances play, while his aerial duel win rate of 61.2% underlines his utility in both boxes.
Now captain of Sunderland and still wearing the armband for Switzerland, he has spoken about embracing “solidarity and suffering” as part of his new challenge.
For Sunderland, his presence provides stability when it is crucial.
Noah Sadiki is Sunderland’s jackpot signing
If Xhaka represents Sunderland’s steadying hand, Noah Sadiki embodies the excitement of the club’s new era.
Signed from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for £15m, the 20-year-old Congolese midfielder is already proving to be one of the bargains of the summer.
According to the CIES Football Observatory, his value has soared to as high as €36m (£31m) after just a handful of games in the Premier League, exceeding the fee splashed out on Xhaka.
Sadiki had already built an impressive reputation in Belgium before his move, with The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor describing him as a “properly complete midfielder”.
Since arriving at Union SG from Anderlecht in 2023, he made over 100 appearances and helped the club win the Belgian Pro League title.
Similar to Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, according to analyst Ben Mattinson, and capable of playing both in midfield and defence, his playing profile is one of his strongest assets.
At Sunderland, however, he has been used predominantly in midfield, where his blend of energy and intelligence has stood out.
Last season, he averaged 1.75 progressive carries per 90, slightly higher than Xhaka, while also posting stronger defensive metrics such as 1.78 tackles and 1.34 blocks per 90.
Despite his youth, he has shown composure on the ball, registering a 30% shot accuracy rate and 0.75 shots on target per 90 – higher than Xhaka’s 0.64.
These contributions have helped him quickly adapt to the physicality and pace of English football.
While Xhaka brings control, leadership, and passing range, Sadiki offers drive, athleticism, and the potential for game-changing contributions.
One thrives on experience and authority, the other on potential and versatility.
Together, they represent a midfield balance that could define Sunderland’s survival and growth in the Premier League.
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Sunderland’s summer was a gamble, but the early evidence suggests they may have struck the right balance between established leaders and rising stars.
In Xhaka and Sadiki, they have captured the two poles of football development – a captain who has experienced everything and a 20-year-old who could yet become one of Europe’s most sought-after talents.