Alan Smith outlines how Granit Xhaka's role at Sunderland could change next season
Alan Smith has been discussing Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka.
Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith has hailed Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka for his impact on Wearside in recent times, but has suggested that the Swiss veteran may have to settle for a slightly less influential role in the Premier League next season.
Xhaka has been an unmitigated success since arriving at the Stadium of Light last summer, producing a series of dominant individual displays and helping the Black Cats to qualify for the Europa League. But speaking to BestBettingSites, Smith has argued that Regis Le Bris’ men may struggle to replicate their impressive return next term - and that Xhaka may be forced to adapt his style of play somewhat. The midfielder is currently away on international duty at the World Cup - skippering Switzerland to the top of their group in North America - and speaking about his output, Smith said: “He’s brilliant, really, isn’t he?
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“Leaving Arsenal, you thought, well, his career’s gonna kind of peter out a little bit, but he went to Leverkusen and was brilliant there, won the league. And now at Sunderland, I think it’ll be more difficult for Sunderland as a team next year. People would have had a look at them, and they had all that adrenaline and impetus newly in the Premier League.
“So people might work them out a bit better. That might mean that Xhaka doesn’t get on the ball quite so much and can’t influence it quite so much, but he’ll still be a great man to have in that team.”