Four Rising Stars Battle for Premier League's Most Impactful Signing Crown This Season
A perspiring brow typically indicates fierce dedication in athletics. A bleeding, lacerated eyelid further demonstrates devotion to competitive action. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland's skipper, was incensed about being substituted during Sunday's match against Newcastle United to receive treatment for his cut eyelid.
He grew even more annoyed having to observe the mandatory 30-second waiting period before returning to play. Every moment matters for the 33-year-old Xhaka, every instant to assist Sunderland in achieving their desired outcome.
The arrival of winter seems fitting to evaluate which summer acquisitions like Xhaka have adapted most successfully in the Premier League. Four months and 16 matches provides adequate time to judge their worth.
The assured, swift Hugo Ekitike has been Liverpool's summer transfer window salvation with 10 strikes in 23 appearances following his £69 million ($92 million) move from Eintracht Frankfurt. Martin Zubimendi, the Spanish midfielder, has integrated perfectly into Arsenal's defensive midfield since his £60m transfer from Real Sociedad, enabling Declan Rice to advance and showcase his offensive capabilities.
Bryan Mbeumo has delivered leadership and scoring to Manchester United for £65m from Brentford. Jordan Henderson has joined Brentford as a free agent from Ajax and thrived with his energy and guidance.
Initial worries about Gianluigi Donnarumma's ball distribution have been resolved at Manchester City following his £26m transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. His reflexes and penalty area control continue to shine as expected from the recent Yashin Trophy recipient for top goalkeeper in the Ballon d'Or.
Those who have observed Estevao at Chelsea, Jack Grealish at Everton (on loan), Malick Thiaw at Newcastle United and Mohammed Kudus at Tottenham Hotspur will acknowledge the intelligence of these acquisitions.
Granit Xhaka vs. Nick Woltemade
Two celebrated summer additions featured in the weekend's standout fixture, Sunderland's 1-0 triumph over Newcastle at the Stadium of Light. This encounter was promoted as Xhaka, Sunderland's midfield guiding star, versus Nick Woltemade, Newcastle supporters' scoring savior who molds matches to his relaxed tempo.
Regrettably for Woltemade, Newcastle's £69 million ($92 million) acquisition from Stuttgart characterized this Derby encounter with a remarkable own goal.
Xhaka controlled proceedings, maintaining his commanding performance since joining for £13 million ($17 million) from Bayer Leverkusen. His recruitment represented an incredible achievement by Sunderland. It demonstrated their aspirations under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, the Swiss-French billionaire who is six years Xhaka's junior.
It revealed his convincing power to attract the Swiss national team captain to northeastern England. A three-year deal assisted—few other teams would have considered such contract length for a player advancing through his thirties.
Recently elevated to the Premier League, and featuring numerous signings unfamiliar with England's top division, Sunderland relied on Xhaka to navigate challenging circumstances. They currently hold 26 points and are likely within three victories of security, which remained their objective.
Gain promotion, establish stability, advance further. No other acquisition has influenced their new team like Xhaka this campaign. Even Ekitike at struggling Liverpool. Xhaka sacrifices effort and commitment for Sunderland.
Redemption Story
Xhaka's narrative also represents rehabilitation alongside shrewd recruitment, a tale that connects with anyone who's encountered hardship, skepticism and public condemnation. The former Arsenal midfielder has unresolved matters with English football, explaining his eagerness to return after emergency treatment on his left eyelid.
In 2019, Xhaka clashed with Arsenal supporters, who applauded his replacement against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Some were heckling him, demanding faster departure from the field. Others simply considered him inadequate for the squad.
He departed angrily, seemingly cursing some jeering fans, characteristically obstinate in not considering consequences. Xhaka faced additional criticism for removing his jersey, viewed as disrespectful behavior.
Xhaka lost the captaincy under Arsenal's then manager, Unai Emery, and even discussed leaving with his wife Leonita. He remained but told Emery's replacement, Mikel Arteta, "I'm finished, I cannot wear this shirt anymore".
Arteta offered him another opportunity, and he gradually rejoined the Arsenal setup. However, complete reconciliation never occurred between Arsenal fans and him. Xhaka believed some harsh criticism directed at him during the Palace incident was excessive.
Arsenal supporters also grew tired of his numerous bookings and dismissals. Various pitch infractions, primarily mistimed tackles, resulted in 18-game suspensions at Arsenal. Throughout his career, Xhaka has missed 34 matches through disciplinary action. He would describe it as dedication and aggressive challenges rather than malicious intent. However, little sadness accompanied a five-time dismissed player's departure from Arsenal to Bayer Leverkusen for £21 million ($28 million) in 2023.
Xhaka developed under Xabi Alonso, who assigned him training responsibilities mentoring Leverkusen's younger talents. He pursued his Uefa A coaching qualification, also managing his brother-in-law's fifth-tier German club. Coaching eventually awaits him. Kicker magazine labeled him "the tactician" in Leverkusen's midfield. Xhaka represents those midfielders like Arteta and Alonso who lacked speed but compensated with quick thinking to affect matches.
He demonstrates this at Sunderland with four assists and one goal, plus a more controlled average of one foul per game. Xhaka still accumulates four yellow cards, partially from old patterns and tactical fouls, but remains an excellent example for younger teammates. He doesn't comprehend exhaustion. Xhaka has featured 1,423 out of possible 1,440 Premier League minutes this season. He maintains excellent condition through diet, rest and flexibility work.
Natural Leader
Yet statistics cannot completely capture Xhaka's essence. How do you measure leadership qualities? Sunderland's captain radiates that presence during times when many managers privately regret the shortage of born leaders. Some blame social evolution, others player turnover in changing rooms. Still, Xhaka has immediately influenced Sunderland's squad dynamics.
He motivates colleagues, many experiencing their first Premier League campaign. Among 11 new signings costing £149 million ($200 million), only Xhaka, Simon Adingra (from Brighton & Hove Albion) and Bertrand Traoré (from Ajax but previously at Chelsea and Aston Villa) possessed English top-flight experience.
Few players who earned promotion with Sunderland through Championship playoffs understood Premier League demands and patterns. Dan Ballard originated at Arsenal but never represented them competitively.
Xhaka's background proved essential. Sunderland players observe him in the dressing room, recognizing a quality player still motivated as he surpassed 600 club appearances on Sunday and approaches 150 international caps before Switzerland begins World Cup competition. Xhaka binds this Sunderland squad together, the intelligence that alerts them to emerging threats. He orchestrates Régis Le Bris' tactical arrangements on the field.
Every squad in any sport requires someone to establish standards. Xhaka fulfills this for Sunderland. He immediately asserted himself against Newcastle with a tackle on Lewis Miley. He dominated with his footwork, particularly that skillful left foot, changing play wide to initiate counter-attacks. Xhaka even commanded with gestures, indicating where he wanted teammates positioned, directing Traoré wider to address a brief danger to Sunderland's right from rapid Harvey Barnes.
He inspired through composure amid derby intensity, at one moment dropping his shoulder and spinning away from three Newcastle defenders to smoothly pass back to goalkeeper Robin Roefs, another intelligent signing.
Xhaka helped Sunderland secure the victory, earning three points and a cut eyelid, reaching seventh place. They trail Champions League qualification only on goal difference (assuming England receives five positions next season). For pure influence, Xhaka must be the Premier League season's top signing.