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Profile

Full nameGranit Xhaka
PositionDefensive midfielder
NationalitySwitzerland
Age33
Date of birth27 Sept 1992
BirthplaceBasel
Height186 cm
Shirt number#34
ClubSunderland
Defensive midfielder
34
Appearances
1
Goals
6
Assists
2916
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Sunderland.

Injury-affected season

Missed 3 of Sunderland's ~38 games this season through 3 injury absences (ankle). He still appeared 34 times — a solid return given how little of the season he was available. His rating is judged mainly on the games he was fit to play.

Performance data · by competition

CompetitionAppsGAMinMatch
Premier League341629167.32
FA Cup2001347.55

Scout report

Experienced headDefensive midfielder

G. Xhaka is a 33-year-old defensive midfielder at Sunderland, enjoying a standout season — 1 goals and 6 assists in 34 appearances, a Season grade of 53, top 16% of Premier League defensive midfielders. On long-term scout potential he's rated 39.1, ranking 331st of 376 in the Premier League. A seasoned veteran, he has been an ever-present (92.6% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 3.06 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Xhaka.

Judged on this season alone, Xhaka graded 53 — a strong campaign that ranks top 17% of the 55 defensive midfielders in the Premier League, on 1 goal, 6 assists and 3.056 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 51 → 53). Across the 6 seasons we hold, it's his best return yet.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 39, 48th of 55 of the 55 defensive midfielders in the Premier League. At 33 Xhaka is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 27.4 reflects that trajectory.

Read the appearance count in context: Xhaka missed 3 games through injury (ankle) out of roughly 38 this season. The 34 he did play is a solid return on the time he was fit, and his ratings are weighted toward those games rather than the ones he sat out injured.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

A career still climbing — Xhaka is at his peak right now, and the curve hasn't flattened.

Peak: 2025/26Trending upBreakout: 2022/23
Current potential48th of 55 defensive midfielders · Premier LeagueCurrent seasonTop 17% defensive midfielders · Premier League9th-best defensive midfielder in the Premier League331st in the Premier League · potential48th-highest potential defensive midfielder in the Premier League
39.1
Ratingi
48th of 55 defensive midfielders
52.9
Seasoni
a solid contributor and squad regular
92.6%
Minutes
near ever-present
3.06
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Sunderland finished 7th of 20 · a mid-table side

3.06
Def. / 90
50
Tackles
29
Interceptions
9
Clean sheets

3.06 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 9 clean sheets across 34 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 1 goal and 6 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Availability. On the pitch for 92.6% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
  • Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.22 goal involvements per 90, useful for a defensive midfielder.
  • Pedigree. Performing in a top-tier setting (team strength 96.8/100).

Watch points

  • Age curve. At 33, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 39.1, Xhaka carries the 48th-highest potential of the defensive midfielders in the Premier League of 55. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (3.06 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90), with a bit more on the ball than most in the role. Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.7× and falling).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.