Former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe spoke highly of Granit Xhaka before the midfielder’s move to Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. Xhaka reached out to Defoe for advice about the club and the area before finalizing his decision, and Defoe was enthusiastic in his response, assuring Xhaka that he would enjoy his time at Sunderland due to the amazing fans and the positive environment.
In an interview on the Could It Be Magic? podcast, Defoe also praised Sunderland for their strong start to the season, garnering eleven points from seven games. He recalled speaking to former player Darren Bent, who had lauded the club’s atmosphere and fanbase, describing it as an amazing experience. Despite some challenges in recent years, Defoe believed Sunderland was a “sleeping giant” that would eventually return to the Premier League, providing a special opportunity for players to compete at the highest level.
Defoe expressed his delight in Sunderland’s return to the Premier League and their impressive start underlined by young players like Isidor making an impact. The former striker reflected on his time at the club and noted the exceptional performance at the beginning of the current season, which stood out compared to slower starts in the past.
Meanwhile, head coach Régis Le Bris acknowledged Xhaka’s significant contribution to Sunderland, surpassing initial expectations and commended club owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus for facilitating the deal. Le Bris credited Xhaka for raising the team’s standards through his leadership and work ethic behind the scenes, highlighting the importance of each individual involved in securing Xhaka’s arrival at the club.
The collaboration between the manager, other officials, and Louis-Dreyfus was crucial in finalizing the deal, given its complexity and ambitious nature. Le Bris emphasized the owner’s active involvement and vision for the club, which played a vital role in persuading Xhaka to join Sunderland. Le Bris praised Xhaka’s impact, noting his impressive performance and influence on the team’s dynamics both on and off the field.
