Ian Wright sidesteps Gary Neville on Granit Xhaka as Sunderland star hailed | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Ian Wright declined to answer Gary Neville’s question about whether he would still take Granit Xhaka at Arsenal, instead highlighting the Sunderland midfielder’s outstanding season. Xhaka has been among the Premier League signings of the season, helping Régis Le Bris’ side into Europe.

Wright said Xhaka’s influence stretches well beyond leadership, pointing to his passing through lines and ball-winning. He felt the Switzerland international could easily have been in the player-of-the-year conversation and viewed Sunderland’s European push as driven mainly by him.

After Neville asked if he would still have Xhaka at Arsenal, Wright refused to be drawn, noting Arsenal had just won the league and were not searching for players. He still argued Xhaka’s name deserves mention for the part he played in Arsenal’s wider journey before his move to Sunderland.

Duncan Ferguson also praised Xhaka’s command in possession, calling him intelligent and technically assured, rarely wasteful and able to pierce lines. He believed Xhaka can control games from midfield with a give-and-go rhythm.

Ferguson added he was surprised Switzerland used a back three and left out Manzambi, having expected a more attacking approach. With Xhaka in a two-man midfield, he said the player would call the shots, noting his legs are not quite there but his passing certainly is.

Source: Sunderland Echo