Saturday’s opening-day defeat to newly-promoted Ipswich Town was a wake-up call for Sunderland in their efforts to avoid suffering from second-season syndrome.
Regis Le Bris secured a memorable first season back in the Premier League last time around, subsequently helping the Black Cats secure a generational return to European football.
However, concerns have been raised about the added fixture congestion and lack of squad depth at the Stadium of Light – which could have an impact on their league standing.
If the side are to be successful once again throughout 2026/27, the form of one player will be vital, with the hope he can emulate his impressive form from last campaign.
Why Xhaka will be vital if Sunderland are to be successful in 2026/27
It’s not often a newly-promoted side can convince a top-level operator to join their ranks, but that’s exactly what Sunderland managed to do with Granit Xhaka last summer.
The 33-year-old arrived for a reported £20m from German giants Bayer Leverkusen and immediately assumed the role of captain with his experience in the top division certainly playing a huge role.
However, his European experience will once again come in handy this term, with the Swiss international one of a handful of players in the squad to possess such qualities.
Last season, he featured in all but four league games for the Black Cats and his quality at both ends of the pitch undoubtedly played a huge role in the club’s immediate success in the top-flight.
|
Granit Xhaka – PL stats (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
34 |
|
Goals & assists |
7 |
|
Pass accuracy |
84% |
|
Line-breaking passes |
9.4 |
|
Duels won |
60% |
|
Defensive contributions |
11.3 |
|
Ball recoveries |
5.6 |
|
Aerials won |
62% |
Despite Xhaka’s defensive responsibilities, he did manage to register the joint-most assists of any player in Le Bris’ squad – with he and Enzo Le Fee ending the year with six league assists.
He also topped the charts for defensive contributions made per 90 last season, with the former Arsenal man proving to be worth every penny for the Black Cats.
However, if they are to achieve further success throughout the ongoing campaign, there’s no denying added reinforcements are needed before the end of the window.
How Sunderland can secure their best signing since Xhaka
With just a week remaining in the summer window, Sunderland have only completed the signings of Thomas Meunier, Dayann Methalie and Jules Akhora.
There’s no denying business has been slow during the ongoing window, with further reinforcements needed if the club are to be competitive on all fronts throughout 2026/27.
However, the supporters could be about to see their wishes come true, as the hierarchy have seemingly stepped up their efforts to land Marseille winger Igor Paixao.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest on a deal for the Brazilian and has stated that personal terms are already in place with the 26-year-old over a move to the North East.
Initial talks are ongoing between the two clubs at present, with the Ligue 1 side said to need to raise funds before the summer transfer window closes.
Reports from France further state that a verbal agreement between Marseille and the Black Cats is now ‘close’ with a transfer fee set to exceed £26m.
Such a move has generated huge excitement within the fanbase in Sunderland and rightly so, with Paixao a player who has constantly delivered the goods within the final third.
His stats from the recent Ligue 1 campaign showcase his quality within attacking areas, which could see him hand Le Bris with needed European experience this campaign.
The Brazilian registered 11 combined goals and assists in France’s top-division last term, with such a tally only matched by Le Fee within the Black Cats’ current senior ranks.
His subsequent tally would hand the club another needed attacking presence to help inject added quality into a squad which netted the fourth-lowest goal tally in 2025/26.
Paixao also completed an impressive tally of 1.3 successful dribbles per 90 in Ligue 1 last term – with such a figure higher than any player within Le Bris’ current squad.
He even took his impressive performances to the European stage, as he netted four goals in just eight appearances during last year’s edition of the Champions League.
Such quality will be vital for the Black Cats this summer, as they crave added European proven talents to help compete in the Europa League this season.
The Brazilian’s experience on such a stage could see him become the attacking version of Xhaka, subsequently leading my example in his area of the pitch and helping lead the club to success.
£25m for a player of Paixao’s quality would be a phenomenal piece of business for Sunderland, with the forward able to add the needed quality the hierarchy have been hunting for.
He could match the Swiss international in being able to inject top-level talent into the club’s senior ranks, with the forward having all the tools to be a major success in the North East.
