The transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to AFC Sunderland felt right from the start, says Granit Xhaka – and explains what makes the newly promoted team so strong.
After eleven match days, AFC Sunderland is in fourth place in the Premier League – and is the surprise of the season so far. That has a lot to do with how the promoted team defends, Granit Xhaka tells Blick: “We’re still suffering on the pitch. It’s fun to suffer for the results. I give a little pep talk before most games with Sunderland. It always comes down to the fact that there are two ways to defend: because you have to or because you love it. We love defending. That’s the difference!“ In each of the last two seasons, all three Premier League newcomers were immediately relegated again. It doesn’t look that way for Sunderland at the moment. That’s also thanks to Xhaka, who has more than fulfilled the high expectations associated with his return to England. ”I came as a big name, the expectations were huge, including my own. It was the biggest challenge of my career, not only for me, but also for my family. Every minute here has been worth it so far. I’m not just saying that because things are going so well now. I like the environment, the people appeal to me, the family atmosphere in this club, which I had only seen from the outside before. From the moment I first stepped into the dressing room, I knew it was a good choice.”
In the next few days, however, Xhaka’s focus will be on the national team. Switzerland can qualify for the World Cup. That is a big goal for Granit Xhaka, as he says. It is quite possible that the next World Cup will be his last. And that’s why he really wants to be there.