I had the same feeling with Sunderland as I had when I went to Leverkusen that there could be something very special about this team' Granit Xhaka on the Black Cats' similarities to Leverkusen's title winners

"There were a lot of young players, and I had the same feeling with Sunderland as I had when I went back to Germany that there could be something very special about this team. Leverkusen were always in the top four in Germany, of course, but the feeling and ambition at Sunderland is the same. The dressing room shares a big similarity, which can be the key at the end of the season."

"That's the mix of young and experienced players, and the connection they've quickly made. Xhaka has form in acting as a mentor for younger players, having seen the likes of Bukayo Saka emerge at Arsenal during his time in north London, which augurs well for the likes of Black Cats stars Eliezer Mayenda and Chemsdine Talbi, who were both 12 last time Sunderland played Premier League football, while academy graduate Chris Rigg was only nine!"

Granit Xhaka joined Sunderland this summer at age 33 after over 600 top-flight European appearances. He transferred from Bayer Leverkusen, who had won their maiden Bundesliga title unbeaten and by 17 clear points. Xhaka sees similarities between Sunderland and Leverkusen, citing a mix of young and experienced players, shared ambition, and a closely connected dressing room that could prove decisive by season's end. Xhaka has prior experience mentoring young talents such as Bukayo Saka. That mentorship is expected to benefit Sunderland youngsters Eliezer Mayenda, Chemsdine Talbi, and academy graduate Chris Rigg.

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