Former Sunderland striker Don Goodman believes his former club’s best bit of business this summer was done in house. While Sunderland have been linked with a move for Jack Grealish, have signed two new full backs and are set for a club record deal for Marseille winger Igor Paixao with Europa League football on the calendar this season, keeping Granit Xhaka will be key according to Goodman.
Xhaka's influence and Chelsea interest
Xhaka was imperious in red and white last season as he set the standards on and off the pitch with his leadership to the fore. But there was a lot of noise over the summer about a move to Chelsea. While Xhaka was away with Switzerland at the World Cup, new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso was keen on reuniting with the midfielder who was the midfield general in his all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen team. Xhaka helped secure a first Bundesliga title for the club and they set a new European record of 51 competitive games without defeat.
The noise was all about Xhaka moving to Stamford Bridge - which would have been a colossal loss to Sunderland. But the skipper stayed put and will take up his role at the Stadium of Light today when the Black Cats take on Fulham in their first home game since beating Chelsea in the Premier League in May - the result which secured Europa League football amid wild celebrations.
Goodman's praise for the skipper
And Goodman said: "Last season Granit Xhaka made 34 appearances out of 38 in the PL for Sunderland and started 32 of those, so what that says to me is that for somebody of his age, he had unbelievable availability. Especially for a midfielder."
"I completely understand why Chelsea were interested in him. He's a leader in an era where they don't grow on trees and Chelsea had one of the best leaders in PL history in John Terry. Xhaka is someone with incredible football intelligence and awareness. He's basically an on-field coach with the way he plays."
"For Sunderland to keep hold of him is huge considering they'll be playing in the Premier League and Europe this season. For me, I think he was my player of the year last season based on what I saw."
Speaking to Betway, the former Roker front man - who bagged 40 goals in 116 appearances in red and white from 1991-1994, added: "I know there will be a lot of people who disagree with that statement because there were some amazing players in the league last season. But for a newly promoted club in those circumstances, I thought he was unbelievable and he played a huge role in Sunderland finishing where they did. To keep hold of him for this season is massive and I'm sure he'll have a big impact this year as well."
Pattinson's move to Wrexham
One player who did leave Sunderland during the transfer window was Anthony Pattinson. The goalkeeper moved to Wrexham for a fee of £8m, rising to £10m. After coming through Sunderland’s academy, the 26-year-old made 169 appearances for the club, and played a key role in getting the Black Cats out of League One and the Championship. But after the arrival of Robin Roefs last summer, he went on loan to Millwall, who he helped into the Championship play-offs.
And now part of the squad in North Wales aiming to go one better than The Lions last season, Goodman said: "I think somebody at Wrexham will be in massive trouble if they’ve spent £10 million on a goalkeeper in the Championship and he isn’t first choice. Clearly Phil Parkinson didn’t have faith in Arthur Okonkwo, who is a brilliant goalkeeper, but he does have the odd rick in him."
"Anthony Patterson will be known to Phil Parkinson. He would have been a young goalkeeper in the academy when Parkinson was manager there. He’s watched him excel in the Championship with Sunderland’s promotion and how he helped Millwall to a third-placed finish last season. He’s proven Championship quality, so he will definitely be first choice at Wrexham. He’s been brought in with the intention of keeping that number 1 shirt for the next few years I would imagine."
