{"id":267044,"date":"2026-10-12T08:10:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/12\/sunderlands-new-januzaj-is-becoming-a-bigger-problem-than-xhaka\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T08:10:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:10:12","slug":"sunderlands-new-januzaj-is-becoming-a-bigger-problem-than-xhaka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/12\/sunderlands-new-januzaj-is-becoming-a-bigger-problem-than-xhaka\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunderland’s new Januzaj is becoming a bigger problem than Xhaka"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sunderland<\/a> captain Granit Xhaka was recently hit with a suspended \u00a3136k fine for obtaining a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022 whilst he was playing for Arsenal.<\/p>\n

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The Switzerland international has taken responsibility for his actions and did not take part in his country’s Nations League matches during the international break, due to the situation.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Lee Smith<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

He trained with the Black Cats throughout the three-week break, instead of playing for his country, and was selected to start against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday in the Premier League<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the central midfielder failed to rise above the controversy surrounding him by delivering a strong performance, instead struggling in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n

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Whilst commenting on the 2-0 defeat to Brighton for BBC Radio Newcastle, former Black Cats defender Gary Bennett criticised the Swiss star’s display in midfield for Regis Le Bris<\/a>‘ side.<\/p>\n

The pundit said<\/a>: Granit Xhaka sets such high standards but today he\u2019s just not been at it. Again, Xhaka has given the ball away. It\u2019s not like him.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Sunderland Echo writer Phil Smith noted that the skipper “lost the ball too often<\/a>” and that his efforts on goal were “poor”, essentially criticising the quality of use of the ball.<\/p>\n

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\"granit-xhaka-brighton-sunderland\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Scott Heppell<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

These comments illustrate how underwhelming the midfield star’s performance was for the Black Cats, as the experienced campaigner was criticised by pundits and the media.<\/p>\n

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\n 2 <\/span>
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\n How Xhaka struggled against Brighton<\/strong>
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The left-footed star had enjoyed a strong start to the season in the Premier League before the international break, creating 13 chances and five ‘big chances’ for his teammates in the first five matches.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, he was unable to carry that quality on the ball over into the clash with Brighton, as the likes of Chema Andres and Pascal Gross pressed him into making too many mistakes in possession.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Vs Brighton<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Granit Xhaka<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

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Minutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

Pass accuracy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

79%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Successful crosses<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0\/7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Key passes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

Big chances created<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

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

\n

Possession lost<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

26x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Duels won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5\/7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Dribbled past<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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0x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

The 34-year-old veteran lost the ball a staggering 26 times without creating a single chance for his teammates on the day, failing with all seven of his attempted crosses.<\/p>\n