Fresh from captaining Switzerland in their 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Kosovo, Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has delivered a passionate defence of his national side.
The 32-year-old, who joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, was praised for his calm, controlled display in midfield — and he used the performance to fire back at critics who questioned Switzerland’s recent form.
Xhaka on Switzerland’s Performance
Speaking to Le Temps, Xhaka reflected on the victory and urged his teammates to be more consistent across 90 minutes:
“Our first half was almost perfect. We saw a very strong Switzerland. This victory sends a strong message to everyone… The question is not whether we could have scored more goals, but to understand how to better hold our positions throughout a match so as not to put ourselves in danger.” — Granit Xhaka, via Le Temps
The midfielder stressed the need for improvement despite the scoreline, especially with younger players coming through.
Why Xhaka Was Annoyed
Xhaka admitted he was “really annoyed” by the perception that Switzerland had declined since their Nations League struggles last year, when they finished bottom of their group.
“I often heard, before facing Kosovo, that the Swiss team was no longer the team of the previous three years. And that really annoyed me. At the beginning of this meeting, we all spoke very openly. We agreed this was no time for speeches, that we had no time to waste. We have to deliver, and now!” — Granit Xhaka
Xhaka’s Early Sunderland Impact
Since arriving in the Premier League, Xhaka has slotted into Régis Le Bris’ midfield, helping Sunderland win two of their opening three matches. His leadership and top-level experience have quickly made him an influential figure for the Black Cats, both on and off the pitch.
Switzerland’s Position
| World Cup Qualifiers Group (2025) | Points |
|---|---|
| Slovenia | 10 |
| Switzerland | 9 |
| Norway | 7 |
| Kosovo | 4 |
source: UEFA – 6 September 2025
Victory over Slovenia on Monday would send Switzerland to the top of the table.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William:
Xhaka’s leadership qualities shine through here. His anger at criticism is less about ego and more about setting standards — something Sunderland fans are already starting to appreciate.
For Sunderland, signing a player with such strong personality and experience was a masterstroke. If he brings the same intensity he shows for Switzerland to the Premier League, the Black Cats will have one of the smartest summer recruits.
Key Insights
- Xhaka captained Switzerland in 4-0 win vs Kosovo.
- Said criticism of national team “really annoyed me”.
- Urged consistency and responsibility from younger players.
- Switzerland can go top of qualifiers with win vs Slovenia.
- Already influential for Sunderland after summer move.
What’s Next
Xhaka will lead Switzerland again against Slovenia, aiming to put his country in pole position in World Cup qualifying.
Once the break ends, attention turns back to Sunderland, who have started their Premier League return strongly. With Xhaka anchoring midfield, Le Bris’ side are targeting stability — and potentially much more.
Is Granit Xhaka the leadership signing Sunderland needed to survive and thrive in the Premier League?
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