• Sunderland signed Granit Xhaka from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen

• The Swiss has made 22 appearances, featuring in all 21 Premier League fixtures

• Regis Le Bris has described his captain as a "second coach"

Eyebrows were raised when Sunderland signed former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka in the summer. 

The Black Cats achieved promotion to the Premier League via last season's Championship play-offs and showed ambition in the transfer market by adding 15 new faces to help them try and become immediately competitive.

Xhaka's arrival was not the most expensive, but an initial fee of £13million for a 32-year-old was still considered a risk, especially when he was handed a three-year deal by Sunderland's hierarchy. 

Just a year after he played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga and DFB Pokal success, Xhaka swapped life in North Rhine-Westphalia for Wearside and it is fair to say the signing has paid off for both player and club.

Leading by example

Upon his arrival, Xhaka spoke about the "energy and mentality" that he felt, and he wanted to help the club write its own fresh bit of history.

He has already made 22 appearances, featuring in all 21 Premier League games.

While he has only netted one goal, the holding midfielder has registered five assists in the league and helped Sunderland move up to 10th in the table.

Xhaka has played a pivotal role as Sunderland have built a 16-point cushion on the relegation zone and the skipper has earned rave reviews.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher claimed Xhaka's move to the Stadium of Light was "the signing of the season," and the data backs up the anecdotal impact he has had.

Only four players have registered more assists than Xhaka, while he has won 107 duels, sitting 23rd in the league in that category. 

The former Arsenal midfielder has had 11 shots, five of which have hit the target, and he has oozed class throughout the campaign.

Fifteen of his dead-ball passes have led to a shot attempt, while only 14 players have completed more long passes.

Xhaka has managed to transform Sunderland's fortunes with some quality play, but it is the standards that he sets that has also helped the Black Cats move clear of the drop zone.

Team-mates wax lyrical over Xhaka's influence

Xhaka's arrival has added a new level of composure and quality to Sunderland's midfield, and his successful career has helped garner respect from within the club.

Xhaka won the Swiss Super League twice and the Swiss Cup with Basel, while he won two FA Cups with Arsenal.

At Leverkusen, he won three trophies in just two years and his influence on the Sunderland dressing room has helped his team-mates raise their game.

Centre-back Dan Ballard spoke last month about Xhaka, saying he does everything close to 100% and that he has been shocked by how positively one person's arrival could impact the team.

Earlier in the season, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris described him as a "second coach" and Xhaka's leadership and skill will be crucial if the Black Cats are to secure a top-half finish.