Latest news with #SunderlandAFC
Forbes
a day ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Relegation Favorites Sunderland Need An Unlikely Hero
These days, the question for Championship teams entering the Premier League is not how, but if they can survive. Whereas in years gone by, avoiding relegation in the top division used to be a realistic target for at least two of the promoted sides, today, such an eventuality would be miraculous. All three of the new Premier League teams have been immediately relegated for the last two consecutive seasons. To give a sense of how unusual that used to be, such an event had only occurred once in the Premier League era in the 1997-98 season. It's become such a nailed-on expectation that even as the champagne is sprayed by a team winning promotion in the Wembley Play-Off Final, questions about how unlikely it is for the club to remain in the division begin. And so Sunderland AFC's sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman, who not long earlier had the honor of winning soccer's most valuable game, was forced to discuss grim future prospects. To his credit, Speakman batted away the obviously negative headwinds his side faced. When BBC Radio Newcastle asked if the number of promoted clubs being relegated was worrying, the executive replied: "It doesn't worry me. I think it's a fantastic challenge. Everyone who works at Sunderland has just gone through an incredible challenge of trying to navigate from League One to the Premier League. "This is a challenge everyone is really looking forward to. "When we came to the club, we had a multi-year strategy of how we'd get back to the Premier League. That's not just a season-by-season thought process. "We're going to continue that way of thinking, we're going to make decisions we think are in the best interest of the club to try to retain our position in the Premier League. "We're going to try ensure we don't make decisions that will negatively impact the club in the long-term, because you've seen before with Sunderland how negative that can be. "As we know, there's some really key decisions coming up around making sure we have a squad capable of trying to achieve that objective." He can draw comfort from the fact that Sunderland's dramatic extra-time winner against Sheffield United was, in many regards, an underdog success story. The Mackems' opponents were considerably better resourced by virtue of Premier League parachute payments—solidarity payments from the top flight to relegated teams—which are distorting the competitive balance of the division below by their size. They may upset the odds and stay up if they can win promotion on a budget that pales compared to recently demoted sides. Bookmakers doubt it will be the case and have made the club favorites for relegation with the decision to invest in untested youngsters, not currying favor with those deciding the odds. However, this week, a signing who was most definitely outside the long-term model arrived. Granit Xhaka is 32 years old and brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his time at Arsenal. He arrives with a reputation bolstered substantially, having led Bayer Leverkusen to an unprecedented Bundesliga title since leaving the Emirates. He was bullish about survival after putting pen to paper on a contract with the club. "I'm very proud to be here. When I spoke to the Club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have," he said. "It's exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this Club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history. "I feel that I'm ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well. We need to find ourselves on the pitch, but I don't think this will be a big problem. "It's been a long time to wait, but I'm here now and I'm looking forward to it." Former manager Martin O'Neill was slightly more apprehensive, although he thought it could prove a good move. Speaking on TalkSPORT, he said: "Although he did fine at Arsenal, even towards the end, remember, he fell out with the fans, he did all of that type of stuff. And then he redeemed himself, didn't he? "And had a really terrific season, the season before last. He was really, really good. So well done to him in that aspect. "Would it be good for Sunderland to get someone of that experience in? I think so. I think so. Might as well do it. It's not fantastically costly, is it? £17million? "Listen, Sunderland need some players in the football club. They're a really terrific football club, but no question about it, they wouldn't be strong enough with the present team that they would have. So any bits of experience, I'm sure, would help." It will be fascinating to see if Xhaka has sensed something in the air at Sunderland. But what is abundantly clear is that he faces a substantial challenge in achieving survival.
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Sunderland sign former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen
The 32-year-old midfielder arrives on Wearside having spent two years with Leverkusen and was part of their impressive 2023-24 season, where they were crowned Bundesliga champions and lifted the DFB-Pokal. Xhaka made 49 appearances in all competitions for Leverkusen last season, including 10 in the Champions League. Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce the signing of Granit Xhaka, who joins on a three-year deal from Bayer 04 Leverkusen! ❤️✍️ — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 30, 2025 He began his career at Basel before joining Borussia Monchengladbach and boasts Premier League pedigree having spent seven years at Arsenal following a move to north London in 2016, where he made 225 league appearances and won the FA Cup twice. A Switzerland international, Xhaka has captained the team since 2020 and is their record appearance holder with 137 caps. He told the club's website: 'I'm very proud to be here. When I spoke to the club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have. 'It's exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history. 'I feel that I'm ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well. 'We need to find ourselves on the pitch, but I don't think this will be a big problem. It's been a long time to wait, but I'm here now and I'm looking forward to it.' Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: 'We're delighted to welcome Granit and his family to Sunderland. 'His arrival is a significant endorsement of our ambition and our desire to build a team our supporters can be proud of in the Premier League. 'His accomplishments and quality need little introduction – he's a player of the highest calibre on and off the field, who we feel is the perfect match to the profile required in our team. 'We look forward to helping him settle on Wearside and are excited to see the impact he can make on the field and within our dressing room.' Xhaka's switch to Sunderland is the latest signing in a busy transfer window for the Premier League newcomers. A post shared by Sunderland AFC (@sunderlandafc) His arrival sees the Black Cats continue to strengthen their midfield with Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki signing permanent deals. Wingers Simon Adingra and Chemsdine Talbi have also joined the club along with full-back Reinildo Mandava. Sunderland have also reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Robin Roefs, the PA news agency understands. The 22-year-old Netherlands Under-21 international made 33 league appearances for NEC Nijmegen last season as they finished eighth in the Eredivisie. Sunderland open their Premier League campaign on August 16 against West Ham at the Stadium of Light.
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Sunderland sign former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen
The 32-year-old midfielder arrives on Wearside having spent two years with Leverkusen and was part of their impressive 2023-24 season, where they were crowned Bundesliga champions and lifted the DFB-Pokal. Xhaka made 49 appearances in all competitions for Leverkusen last season, including 10 in the Champions League. Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce the signing of Granit Xhaka, who joins on a three-year deal from Bayer 04 Leverkusen! ❤️✍️ — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 30, 2025 He began his career at Basel before joining Borussia Monchengladbach and boasts Premier League pedigree having spent seven years at Arsenal following a move to north London in 2016, where he made 225 league appearances and won the FA Cup twice. A Switzerland international, Xhaka has captained the team since 2020 and is their record appearance holder with 137 caps. He told the club's website: 'I'm very proud to be here. When I spoke to the club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have. 'It's exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history. 'I feel that I'm ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well. 'We need to find ourselves on the pitch, but I don't think this will be a big problem. It's been a long time to wait, but I'm here now and I'm looking forward to it.' Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: 'We're delighted to welcome Granit and his family to Sunderland. 'His arrival is a significant endorsement of our ambition and our desire to build a team our supporters can be proud of in the Premier League. 'His accomplishments and quality need little introduction – he's a player of the highest calibre on and off the field, who we feel is the perfect match to the profile required in our team. 'We look forward to helping him settle on Wearside and are excited to see the impact he can make on the field and within our dressing room.' Xhaka's switch to Sunderland is the latest signing in a busy transfer window for the Premier League newcomers. A post shared by Sunderland AFC (@sunderlandafc) His arrival sees the Black Cats continue to strengthen their midfield with Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki signing permanent deals. Wingers Simon Adingra and Chemsdine Talbi have also joined the club along with full-back Reinildo Mandava. Sunderland have also reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Robin Roefs, the PA news agency understands. The 22-year-old Netherlands Under-21 international made 33 league appearances for NEC Nijmegen last season as they finished eighth in the Eredivisie. Sunderland open their Premier League campaign on August 16 against West Ham at the Stadium of Light.
Leader Live
a day ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Sunderland sign former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen
The 32-year-old midfielder arrives on Wearside having spent two years with Leverkusen and was part of their impressive 2023-24 season, where they were crowned Bundesliga champions and lifted the DFB-Pokal. Xhaka made 49 appearances in all competitions for Leverkusen last season, including 10 in the Champions League. Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce the signing of Granit Xhaka, who joins on a three-year deal from Bayer 04 Leverkusen! ❤️✍️ — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 30, 2025 He began his career at Basel before joining Borussia Monchengladbach and boasts Premier League pedigree having spent seven years at Arsenal following a move to north London in 2016, where he made 225 league appearances and won the FA Cup twice. A Switzerland international, Xhaka has captained the team since 2020 and is their record appearance holder with 137 caps. He told the club's website: 'I'm very proud to be here. When I spoke to the club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have. 'It's exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history. 'I feel that I'm ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well. 'We need to find ourselves on the pitch, but I don't think this will be a big problem. It's been a long time to wait, but I'm here now and I'm looking forward to it.' Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: 'We're delighted to welcome Granit and his family to Sunderland. 'His arrival is a significant endorsement of our ambition and our desire to build a team our supporters can be proud of in the Premier League. 'His accomplishments and quality need little introduction – he's a player of the highest calibre on and off the field, who we feel is the perfect match to the profile required in our team. 'We look forward to helping him settle on Wearside and are excited to see the impact he can make on the field and within our dressing room.' Xhaka's switch to Sunderland is the latest signing in a busy transfer window for the Premier League newcomers. A post shared by Sunderland AFC (@sunderlandafc) His arrival sees the Black Cats continue to strengthen their midfield with Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki signing permanent deals. Wingers Simon Adingra and Chemsdine Talbi have also joined the club along with full-back Reinildo Mandava. Sunderland have also reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Robin Roefs, the PA news agency understands. The 22-year-old Netherlands Under-21 international made 33 league appearances for NEC Nijmegen last season as they finished eighth in the Eredivisie. Sunderland open their Premier League campaign on August 16 against West Ham at the Stadium of Light.
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Sunderland sign former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen
The 32-year-old midfielder arrives on Wearside having spent two years with Leverkusen and was part of their impressive 2023-24 season, where they were crowned Bundesliga champions and lifted the DFB-Pokal. Xhaka made 49 appearances in all competitions for Leverkusen last season, including 10 in the Champions League. Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce the signing of Granit Xhaka, who joins on a three-year deal from Bayer 04 Leverkusen! ❤️✍️ — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 30, 2025 He began his career at Basel before joining Borussia Monchengladbach and boasts Premier League pedigree having spent seven years at Arsenal following a move to north London in 2016, where he made 225 league appearances and won the FA Cup twice. A Switzerland international, Xhaka has captained the team since 2020 and is their record appearance holder with 137 caps. He told the club's website: 'I'm very proud to be here. When I spoke to the club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have. 'It's exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history. 'I feel that I'm ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well. 'We need to find ourselves on the pitch, but I don't think this will be a big problem. It's been a long time to wait, but I'm here now and I'm looking forward to it.' Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: 'We're delighted to welcome Granit and his family to Sunderland. 'His arrival is a significant endorsement of our ambition and our desire to build a team our supporters can be proud of in the Premier League. 'His accomplishments and quality need little introduction – he's a player of the highest calibre on and off the field, who we feel is the perfect match to the profile required in our team. 'We look forward to helping him settle on Wearside and are excited to see the impact he can make on the field and within our dressing room.' Xhaka's switch to Sunderland is the latest signing in a busy transfer window for the Premier League newcomers. A post shared by Sunderland AFC (@sunderlandafc) His arrival sees the Black Cats continue to strengthen their midfield with Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki signing permanent deals. Wingers Simon Adingra and Chemsdine Talbi have also joined the club along with full-back Reinildo Mandava. Sunderland have also reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Robin Roefs, the PA news agency understands. The 22-year-old Netherlands Under-21 international made 33 league appearances for NEC Nijmegen last season as they finished eighth in the Eredivisie. Sunderland open their Premier League campaign on August 16 against West Ham at the Stadium of Light.
