{"id":97479,"date":"2026-07-04T23:05:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T23:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/97479\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T23:05:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T23:05:25","slug":"granit-xhaka-reaffirms-his-commitment-to-sunderland-reaction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/97479\/","title":{"rendered":"Granit Xhaka Reaffirms His Commitment To Sunderland \u2014 Reaction!"},"content":{"rendered":"

HAWAY THE PODCAST!<\/p>\n

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CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE!<\/a><\/p>\n

In my opinion, he needs to make a statement after the World Cup to try and mend some bridges but a couple of good performances and the majority will forget all about it.<\/p>\n

It also goes to show the influence that people like Fabrizio Romano have. If talks with Xhaka have managed to convince him to stay, he was never as desperate for the move as Fab made out.<\/p>\n

Just another example of why this type of thing needs to be stopped.<\/p>\n

\"VANCOUVER,<\/a><\/p>\n

VANCOUVER, CANADA – JULY 02: Granit Xhaka of Switzerland in action during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Switzerland and Algeria at BC Place (Vancouver Stadium) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on July 02, 2026. (Photo by Ercin Erturk\/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s all breath a huge sigh of relief!<\/p>\n

Whilst we had kind of come round to the inevitably of seeing him leave and what would be required, we had no idea who could possibly fill that void. It was probably a similar thought for those running the club, too.<\/p>\n

However, Xhaka has seen sense, giving everyone at the club a huge boost and I\u2019d say this could be a resounding endorsement of the project as well as our collective ambition as he sends a message to the footballing world which includes any future transfer targets.<\/p>\n

If his speech on the final day and this decision are anything to go by, after a few nervy days, this is hopefully just the start of a new chapter of our beautiful friendship with our captain continuing to enjoy the wonderful Indian summer of his career \u2014 just like another huge figure in the club\u2019s history, a certain Niall Quinn.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s to the magic carpet ride with Xhaka.<\/p>\n

Will Ferrell, Sir Michael Caine, Ken Bates, Gordon Ramsay, Bryan Adams, Damon Albarn, Emma Watson, Todd Boehly, John Terry, Lil\u2019 Wayne, Stormzy, Sir John Major, Lord Sebastian Coe, Fabrizio Romano\u2026.<\/p>\n

Can you hear me, Fabrizio Romano? Your boys have taken one hell of a beating!<\/p>\n

\"Sunderland<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunderland fans watch in the sunshine during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in north east England on May 24, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club\/league logos or \u2018live\u2019 services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club\/league\/player publications. \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

A erfect outcome given the year ahead and no obvious replacement or plan B. I\u2019ll get over him wanting the move if his performances are maintained, and I\u2019m sure many others will too.<\/p>\n

A few words from him sillying the previous rumours wouldn\u2019t go amiss, but are very unlikely.<\/p>\n

I think a replacement planning has to be high on the agenda this summer and well done to anyone in the room for standing strong in early negotiations.<\/p>\n

On a human level, I couldn\u2019t accept it was going to happen.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all seen his interviews, where he\u2019s shown absolute alignment and a feeling of \u201cbeing home\u201d at Sunderland.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s cried tears in front of camera relating his childhood and how it was roght for him to be on Wearside. He had to convince his wife to leave Germany as she\u2019d previously had had enough of London.<\/p>\n

None of it made sense and I\u2019m on record as saying that if he\u2019d gone, I would never believe a single word that any footballer ever uttered again, so a huge relief for me to have some faith in human nature left!<\/p>\n

He must have his own reasons for not coming out and saying \u201cno\u201d right at the start. Maybe he was checking on how much we want him to stay or maybe he was testing Chelsea\u2019s resolve. We may find out, but he deserves our backing in spades.<\/p>\n

Bring on the new season. \u201cThis is home \u2014 Haway the lads!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SUNDERLAND,<\/a><\/p>\n

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Granit Xhaka of Sunderland applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on May 24, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been waiting on last year\u2019s kit with \u2018Xhaka\u2019 on the back for two months. I\u2019d resigned myself to it being a very bittersweet delivery, but had decided it would be a great reminder of how wonderful last season was.<\/p>\n

With the news that he\u2019s returning, that\u2019s what I\u2019m hanging onto.<\/p>\n

Even if he\u2019d left, that wouldn\u2019t mean last season never happened. Now that he\u2019s back, there\u2019s an opportunity for him to build on his legacy instead of leaving it truncated.<\/p>\n

As fans, we need to move on.<\/p>\n

Anyone saying they wouldn\u2019t listen to offers like Xhaka probably got is lying and the only reason any of us are more \u201cloyal\u201d to our employers than a professional athlete is a lack of opportunity.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, it\u2019s fantastic news that Xhaka is staying.<\/p>\n

I know fans are going to have differing views on what his intentions have been and whether he\u2019s been pushing this behind the scenes but regardless of what actually happened, it seems that \u201cbeing a grown up\u201d has prevailed.<\/p>\n

If he\u2019s committing to us after seeking a move elsewhere, fine! It\u2019s like someone being in a job they like but applying for their dream job and not getting it. As long as he\u2019s going to go \u2018business as usual\u2019, it works for all parties.<\/p>\n

Naturally, due to his age, succession planning must be in place and with this slight waver in commitment, maybe this process should be expedited.<\/p>\n

\"NEWCASTLE<\/a><\/p>\n

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MARCH 22: Granit Xhaka of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James\u2019 Park on March 22, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

It\u2019s great news that Xhaka has decided to stay.<\/p>\n

In what\u2019s a massive transfer window for the club, replacing the talisman and captain would\u2019ve added such a complexity, which we didn\u2019t need.<\/p>\n

While I\u2019m quite sceptical about how he has went about the situation, we\u2019ll likely never know the true extent of what happened, and to be honest, I\u2019m OK with that.<\/p>\n

It might take a few games to get me singing his name again, but knowing Xhaka, his performances will make it extremely hard to stay silent!<\/p>\n

Very glad the whole thing seems to be over and I\u2019m looking forward to seeing him back at the Academy of Light, whenever that is.<\/p>\n

100% it\u2019s left a sour taste in the mouth and it\u2019s never going to feel the same when watching Xhaka.<\/p>\n

It almost seemed otherworldly every time he stepped onto the pitch. That feeling has now been lost and despite the reports, I still think he wanted the move and for me, he\u2019s only committed to us out of necessity rather than want.<\/p>\n

I think this is also the issue when players have people do everything for them \u2014 they never tend to comment on anything, and he\u2019s ample opportunities to come out and say he wasn\u2019t going anywhere.<\/p>\n

\"VANCOUVER,<\/a><\/p>\n

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JULY 02: Granit Xhaka #10 of Switzerland leads teammates onto the pitch before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Switzerland and Algeria at BC Place Vancouver on July 02, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Sarah Stier – FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images) FIFA via Getty Images<\/p>\n

And IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII, will always love yoooooooouuu!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m so pleased the speculation is over and that Xhaka is staying on Wearside.<\/p>\n

His football talent is unquestioned and the difference he makes when in the side is obvious. The difference he makes as a leader and influence to the other players is just as important both on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t be happier. I for one hold no grudge against him and he has my full support now he\u2019s fully committed for next season.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve (still) got Granit Xhaka, we\u2019ve (still) got Granit Xhaka!<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a number of intangibles that Xhaka brings that would\u2019ve been very difficult to replace. But for me, I think his importance to the club has maybe overblown the situation.<\/p>\n

By the sounds of it, Alonso fancied him for Chelsea and approached Xhaka, who said he wouldn\u2019t mind the move.<\/p>\n

They made a bid, which was rejected and then were quoted a price tag they weren\u2019t going pay. We\u2019ve spoken to our skipper and he\u2019s happy to stay. End of story.<\/p>\n

I can understand it from his perspective. I wouldn\u2019t mind Margot Robbie being my missus but my boss won\u2019t give me the annual leave for Cannes Film Festival and I probably couldn\u2019t deal with the pressure.<\/p>\n

Like he did last summer by joining, Xhaka staying will prove a big factor in the players we can attract. Let\u2019s move on and get behind him and the rest of the Lads.<\/p>\n

\"BASEL,<\/a><\/p>\n

BASEL, SWITZERLAND – MARCH 26: Captain Granit Xhaka of Switzerland speaks during the Switzerland Press Conference at St. Jakob-Park on March 26, 2026 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HAWAY THE PODCAST! Have you heard about Haway The Podcast, the official Roker Report Podcast? We\u2019d love you…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":97480,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[4],"tags":[3828,48428,17],"class_list":["post-97479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-switzerland","tag-opinion","tag-roker-roundtable","tag-switzerland"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ch\/116864216482339367","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97479"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97479\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}