SUNDERLAND, England – Former Sunderland defender Wayne Bridge believes the potential departure of midfielder Granit Xhaka would be a significant blow to the Black Cats, despite the player’s recent return to the club. Bridge, who made 10 appearances for Sunderland during his own career, highlighted Xhaka’s immediate and substantial impact on the team since joining last summer.
“I’m not sure. Xhaka has made such a great impact up there and probably still has a couple of years left there,” Bridge told 10bet, as reported by several outlets. “He’s obviously one of their main players and he’s made a massive impact. If he leaves, it would be a massive miss for them.”
Xhaka, 33, arrived at the Stadium of Light last year and quickly established himself as a key figure, captaining the side and providing stability in midfield. His move from Bayer Leverkusen, a team competing in the Champions League, initially surprised many observers, but the Swiss international has spoken of his desire for a new challenge and a strong connection with the North East.
Sunderland’s impressive form this season has defied expectations, with many predicting a swift return to the Championship after their promotion. Bridge acknowledged this, stating, “Sunderland have been brilliant this season. They would have been a lot of people’s favourites to go straight back down, but they’ve been excellent and Xhaka has been instrumental in that.”
Xhaka’s Impact on Sunderland’s Midfield
Granit Xhaka’s arrival coincided with a noticeable improvement in Sunderland’s midfield solidity and overall performance. According to BBC Sport, former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini emphasized Xhaka’s importance, noting that while the team isn’t solely reliant on one player, his experience is invaluable. “He brings so much experience in a team that is still pretty green,” Gabbiadini said in February 2026.
Gabbiadini further explained that Xhaka’s presence provides a calming influence in midfield, allowing other players to express themselves. “To get the captain back in the middle of the park, somebody who’s a little bit more anchored and happy to just sit and control the game, will craft a difference.”
Xhaka’s ability to dictate play and break up opposition attacks has been crucial to Sunderland’s success. He currently captains both Sunderland and the Switzerland national team, bringing a wealth of international experience to the club. As of March 3, 2026, Xhaka has made 25 appearances for Sunderland, scoring one goal, according to Wikipedia.
A Season of Change at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland’s current campaign has been marked by both positive results and squad turnover. Gabbiadini pointed to the changes within the team as a potential factor in recent fluctuations in form. “There’s been quite a lot of changes in the team. It hasn’t been a particularly consistent team selection over the past few weeks – maybe that has been an issue as well.”
The integration of new players always presents a challenge and Gabbiadini highlighted the time required for newcomers to adapt. “And new faces, as it always takes time when new faces come into the dressing room. We’ve lost some people and brought some new people in. They’ve got to hit the ground running, and it’s not easy to do that.”
The Sunderland squad, while performing admirably, is relatively inexperienced at the Premier League level. Gabbiadini noted, “Most of the players have not had long Premier League careers or played that many games in the Premier League at all. Some of them haven’t played many games full stop. If there’s a little bit of a lull, that’s to be expected.”
What Xhaka’s Potential Departure Means for Sunderland
The possibility of losing Xhaka raises questions about Sunderland’s ability to maintain their current level of performance. His leadership qualities, combined with his technical ability, make him a hard player to replace. Wayne Bridge’s assessment underscores the potential disruption his absence could cause.
While Sunderland have demonstrated resilience and a strong team spirit, Xhaka’s influence is undeniable. His ability to control the tempo of games and provide a defensive shield for the back four has been instrumental in their success.
The club will undoubtedly be keen to retain their captain, but the lure of other clubs, particularly those competing in European competitions, could prove difficult to resist. The coming months will be crucial in determining Xhaka’s future and, Sunderland’s prospects.
Sunderland’s next fixture is against Fulham on April 12, 2026, at the Stadium of Light. The match is scheduled for a 3:00 PM BST kickoff (8:00 AM EDT). Fans can find the latest updates and team news on the official Sunderland AFC website.
What do you think? Will Sunderland be able to cope if Xhaka leaves? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
