{"id":261371,"date":"2026-09-07T07:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T07:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/07\/20m-star-has-officially-surpassed-xhaka-brobbey-as-sunderlands-star-man\/"},"modified":"2026-09-07T07:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T07:10:11","slug":"20m-star-has-officially-surpassed-xhaka-brobbey-as-sunderlands-star-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/07\/20m-star-has-officially-surpassed-xhaka-brobbey-as-sunderlands-star-man\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a320m star has officially surpassed Xhaka & Brobbey as Sunderland’s star man"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sunderland<\/a> have a huge task on their hands to be successful this season, as Regis Le Bris\u2019 men try and juggle the demands of Premier League<\/a> and Europa League football.<\/p>\n

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The Black Cats supporters will no doubt make memories to last a lifetime this season, but the supporters will also demand that the senior side are successful.<\/p>\n

Added depth is needed if the squad are to be competitive on all fronts, with just six new additions made during the recent summer window to help increase the options at the manager\u2019s disposal.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Scott Heppell<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Over \u00a360m worth of funds were spent by the hierarchy during the summer window, but the new arrivals will do well to emulate the form of two fan-favourites last campaign.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n How Xhaka and Brobbey secured Sunderland Europe in 2025\/26<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

As part of the recruitment drive following promotion last summer, Sunderland completed the \u00a320m signing of midfielder Granit Xhaka<\/a> from Bayer Leverkusen to add needed experience to the side.<\/p>\n

The Swiss international made 34 top-flight appearances last term, subsequently registering the joint-most assists of any player within Le Bris\u2019 squad.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Sunderland\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Such numbers highlight his talent in attacking areas, but he did also star without the ball, subsequently making the most defensive contributions of any player in the senior ranks.<\/p>\n

The 33-year-old was undoubtedly a vital component to the success endured at the Stadium of Light last season, with striker Brian Brobbey<\/a> also providing the goods in forward areas.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Sunderland’s top PL scorers (2025\/26)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Tally<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Brian Brobbey<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Wilson Isidor<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Enzo Le Fee<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chemsdine Talbi<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Nordi Mukiele<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Dan Ballard<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Eliezer Mayenda<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Trai Hume<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

The Dutch international, who joined from Ajax last summer, made an immediate impact in the North East, subsequently ending the season as the Black Cats\u2019 top scorer.<\/p>\n

His aerial ability was one of his biggest assets last term, which saw the 24-year-old win 47% of the aerial duels he entered in England\u2019s top-flight last campaign.<\/p>\n

The aforementioned figure ranked him in the top 15% of all attackers in Europe\u2019s top-five leagues, highlighting how important he is to the manager\u2019s system.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n The Sunderland star who’s becoming better than Xhaka & Brobbey<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

If Sunderland are to be competitive across all competitions this campaign, Le Bris will be hoping that all of the senior members of the squad are able to step up to the plate and deliver the goods.<\/p>\n

Xhaka and Brobbey will no doubt continue to be some of the manager\u2019s regular starters – just as they were during the season which saw the club secure European football.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"Xhaka-Sunderland\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Some of the new arrivals will be hoping to stake their claim for a regular starting role, none more so than big-money addition, Malick Fofana, who arrived on deadline day.<\/p>\n

However, players who were already on the books at the Stadium of Light could also play a huge role, with midfielder Enzo Le Fee<\/a> one player who could reach the next level this term.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old, who cost a reported \u00a320m last summer, ended last season with the most combined goals and assists in the Black Cats\u2019 squad – but has already made an impact this campaign.<\/p>\n

The French star netted the penalty in Saturday\u2019s 1-1 draw with Brentford in the capital, subsequently securing a vital point for Le Bris\u2019 side in their quest for success.<\/p>\n

His underlying stats from such a clash also showcase his quality at both ends of the pitch, which could see him once again play a vital role in the club\u2019s hunt for success.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Enzo-Le-Fee-Sunderland\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Le Fee managed to complete 100% of the dribbles he attempted on Saturday, whilst making five passes into the final third – often holding the key to any chances within attacking areas.<\/p>\n

The former Roma man also produced a superb display without the ball, as seen by his 100% ground duel success rate – subsequently dominating the hosts when pushing for an equaliser.<\/p>\n

He also made four tackles and three ball recoveries, further affirming his incredible ability at both ends of the pitch – which could make him a vital asset for the manager once again this term.<\/p>\n

At 26, he\u2019s coming into the prime years of his professional career, with Le Fee hoping to hand the supporters memories to last a lifetime during the upcoming European tour.<\/p>\n

Many of the supporters will be placing their hopes of success on Xhaka and Brobbey – understandably so given their immediate impact throughout last season.<\/p>\n

However, Le Fee has constantly demonstrated he\u2019s at their level, if not above it, over recent months – which has seen him become one of the manager\u2019s most influential players.<\/p>\n