(Credit: Imago / Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)

Ben Palmer

Tue 19 August 2025 18:30, UK

Sunderland’s signing of Granit Xhaka may have a negative effect for both player and club this season.

Granit Xhaka wows in Sunderland vs West Ham as brilliant full stats revealed	Granit Xhaka and Marc Guiu react as Sunderland agree new signing	Sunderland players react to Granit Xhaka's 'amazing' message

That is according to Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier, who told Football Insider exclusively that although the Switzerland international was signed to add experience to the Black Cats’ squad, his “best days are behind him”.

Sunderland completed the signing of Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen this summer for £17.3million [Sky Sports], ending the former Arsenal man’s two-year stint in Germany.

The 32-year-old joined Regis Le Bris‘ side during a massive overhaul at the Stadium of Light.

Having achieved promotion via the playoffs, Sunderland have spent £140m overhauling their squad, something they can afford to do thanks to their investment in their academy, football finance expert Dan Plumley told Football Insider.

However, despite Xhaka‘s impressive resume and vast experience in the Premier League, Le Tissier has his concerns about the midfielder.

Sunderland signed Simon Adingra as part of a squad overhaul.

Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.

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Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Le Tissier named Xhaka when asked about the three transfers that had least impressed him this summer.

After choosing Noni Madueke and Anthony Elanga, the Premier League legend said: “The other one was probably Granit Xhaka, who is 32, closing in on 33.

I think his best days are behind him.

“He’s gone from a Bayer Leverkusen team that were pretty good to being somebody who’s going to be in a team that’s going to be struggling at the bottom end of the table, and I’m not sure he’s going to be used to that.”

Granit Xhaka is Sunderland’s oldest player.

(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

When asked whether Sunderland may have bought Xhaka to add experience to a young Sunderland side, Le Tissier said: “I think that was possibly the case and I just think his best days are behind him and for that kind of money, I don’t know, because I don’t even think he shows the greatest example as a senior pro.

“We saw some of his tantrums at Arsenal so it’s not like he’s the model pro to set a great example for the young kids.

(Credit: Getty Images)

Speaking previously to Football Insider, Le Tissier said that Sunderland could make a move to sign Dele Alli.

The former striker explained that the ex-Tottenham man would add experience to the Black Cats and his unpredictable playstyle could make a big difference for them in their efforts to avoid relegation.

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