Exclusive: Phil Bardsley Backs Granit Xhaka to Be a “Great Signing” for Sunderland

Former Sunderland ace Phil Bardsley believes new signing Grant Xhaka can make a big impression for the club in their first season back in the Premier League.

And the ex-Premier League star is confident the club can cope in the top-flight without star players Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson, although more Premier League experience is needed in order to be successful in the top-flight.

The Black Cats swooped to secure a £13million deal with a potential £4million in add-ons for defensive midfielder Xhaka on Monday from German giants Bayer Leverkusen.

And the 32-year-old experienced Switzerland international is expected to complete a medical and sign a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light later this week.

Xhaka enjoyed seven seasons with Arsenal in the Premier League and is relishing a return to the English top-flight having spent the last two seasons in the Bundesliga.

“He’s got a bit of character to him, that’s always key in the Premier League,” stressed Bardsley, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“He’s quite colourful Xhaka, he knows how to put his foot in, score goals and get around the pitch. He’s been there and done it in the Premier League."

“He’s a good fit, but I think you need more than one player with Premier League experience in key areas."

“The back four looks a little bit inexperienced, but listen the players they’ve got are tremendous."

“However, at Premier League level you’re really going to get tested."

PREMIER LEAGUE EXPERIENCE

Bardsley added: “I think they would benefit from a bit more experience."

“I don’t really know many of the players they’ve brought in, so for me it’s a bit of a concern to be honest."

“It’s not a concern from the players’ point of view, they’re obviously going to be talented."

“But from a Premier League point of view you’ve got to have that experience and you’ve got to have that know-how of how to win games, especially at home."

“It’s at home that the chances of surviving will come, but I always believe you need that bit of know-how and experience to help the young players."

“Hopefully they’ll try and recruit a few experienced Premier League players, but it’s yet to be seen.”

Midfielder Bellingham inspired Sunderland to victory in the Championship Play-off final last season, but he departed for Borussia Dortmund in a £26.96million deal plus £4.2million in add-ons this summer.

And teenager winger Watson also left to join Brighton for £10million with Black Cats’ boss Regis Le Bris tasked with a rebuild job ahead of the club’s first season back in the Premier League after an eight-year absence.

LIFE WITHOUT BELLINGHAM 

“I felt it was coming with Jobe, it looked like he was going to leave and a deal for Tommy Watson had already been done,” reflected Bardsley, who played 200 games for the club between 2007-2014, with 174 of them in the Premier League.

“But to be fair I’m disappointed with the pair of them, I think they’ve both jumped ship too soon."

“I’d have loved to have seen the pair of them in the Premier League this season. I’d love to have seen them give one more season to Sunderland."

“Watson was already tied up with Brighton, who have an incredible recruitment system, so that deal was done."

“But you can’t fault Bellingham for what their kid [Jude] did, Dortmund is a big club and it [the deal] was a lot of money for Sunderland to go and spend in the window."

“However, I’d have loved to have seen Jobe in the Premier League because of all his attributes."

“He’s got the physical stature for it and I think his all-round game would suit the Premier League."

“Fair play though, they’ve both served the club well and hopefully they go on and do well for their new clubs.”