Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been stuffed with power, unpredictability, and glimpses of promise.
A raucous Stadium of Mild watched because the Black Cats stormed previous West Ham with a convincing 3-0 win on the opening day.
Actuality quickly bit as a 2-0 defeat away at Burnley reminded everybody of the ruthless margins within the high flight.
Momentum was clawed again in dramatic style as Brentford had been undone 2-1 by a stoppage-time Wilson Isidor strike.
Nonetheless, the following 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace highlighted the attacking inconsistency of a newly-promoted facet nonetheless discovering its rhythm.
A 1-1 house draw with Aston Villa showcased grit and willpower. Sunderland battled for almost all of the match with 10 males and had been unfortunate to not declare all three factors. If they’d achieved so, they might have climbed to fourth within the desk – unthinkable for a workforce promoted through the Championship play-offs solely months in the past.
With the shadow of relegation firmly within the distance for now, Sunderland subsequent face a visit to Nottingham Forest. Ange Postecoglou’s facet are nonetheless adapting to life beneath their new coach, and Sunderland will hope to use any teething points.
What is obvious, although, is that this squad will want huge characters to tug them by means of the lengthy marketing campaign.
One summer season signing particularly has already drawn parallels with a determine who as soon as embodied Sunderland’s preventing spirit.
Henderson is the embodiment of Sunderland’s perspective
When followers take into consideration Sunderland gamers who gave all the things in purple and white, Jordon Henderson’s identify nonetheless comes up.
The midfielder, now 35, started his profession at his boyhood membership and went on to make 79 appearances, scoring 5 objectives and registering 10 assists, per Transfermarkt.
His £20 million transfer to Liverpool in 2011 would see him carry the Champions League and the Premier League beneath Jürgen Klopp.
His 492 appearances for the Reds had been outlined not simply by his technical potential as a defensive midfielder but in addition his potential to steer.
Named Liverpool captain in 2015, he held the armband for eight years, guiding one of the crucial profitable eras within the membership’s trendy historical past.
His management prolonged past Anfield.
Henderson earned 85 England caps, scoring 3 times, together with on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, per Transfemarkt.
This summer season, he joined Brentford, the place he has already made 5 Premier League appearances
|
Jordan Henderson – 2025/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Matches Performed |
5 |
|
Minutes |
323 |
|
Progressive Carries |
3 |
|
Progressive Passes |
16 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Supply: FBref |
|
For Sunderland, Henderson’s instance serves as a reminder: survival is not only about expertise, however about perspective and accountability.
One participant of their present squad has stepped ahead to imagine that mantle.
Granit Xhaka is Sunderland’s modern-day Henderson
In a switch that underlined the membership’s intent, Sunderland secured Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for a price rising to £17 million.
The Swiss worldwide, now 32, represents precisely the kind of huge character they should stabilise themselves within the Premier League.
Xhaka brings huge expertise and has “been valued by so many” round him, per analyst Ben Mattinson.
He made 297 appearances for Arsenal throughout all competitions, the place he received two FA Cups and wore the captain’s armband, per Transfermarkt.
After leaving North London, he joined Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen undertaking and performed a pivotal position of their historic unbeaten Bundesliga title win in 2024.
The German facet got here agonisingly near finishing an unbeaten treble, solely halted by Ademola Lookman’s well-known Europa League last hat-trick for Atalanta.
For Sunderland, his choice to return to England is invaluable.
Xhaka has spoken about desirous to expertise “solidarity and struggling” on this section of his profession, a mentality that matches completely with a membership battling in opposition to the percentages.
Already made captain on the Stadium of Mild, he additionally continues to steer Switzerland, having represented his nation at six main tournaments.
Xhaka has wasted no time exhibiting his affect on the pitch.
Within the 2-1 win over Brentford, he registered a 7.7 match score throughout 90 minutes, contributing one help.
His 73 touches and 59 passes (49 correct) underlined his position because the heartbeat of Sunderland’s midfield, whereas his defensive contribution – three floor duels received and 5 clearances – offered stability.
That mix of composure in possession and willpower with out the ball is precisely what Sunderland require.
Simply as Henderson as soon as rallied these round him, Xhaka’s management and high quality make him the modern-day equal.
He’s a participant who elevates these beside him, offers path in robust moments, and offers followers perception that this squad can survive the Premier League storm.