Granit Xhaka

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

Sitting 13th in the table after a seesaw run of form that reads LLWWL, Sunderland AFC are looking to Granit Xhaka for the stability and veteran leadership that could transform their season. The 33-year-old Swiss international, acquired for €12 million last summer with a current market value of €15 million, has slotted seamlessly into Tony Mowbray's midfield as a deep-lying playmaker, wearing the number 34 shirt with authority. Across 31 appearances and 2,578 minutes this campaign, Xhaka has quietly orchestrated play from the base of midfield, contributing 1 goal and 5 assists while maintaining the passing range and tempo control that defined his stints at Bayer Leverkusen and in the Premier League. His left-footed distribution and commanding 186cm frame provide both the physical presence to shield the backline and the technical quality to launch attacks. Currently rated at 67 overall, the Swiss anchorman has compiled 5 yellow cards but importantly avoided any red cards, demonstrating the discipline required of his role. Operating alongside higher-rated teammates like Habib Diarra (75) and Chemsdine Talbi (75), Xhaka's ball retention and tactical intelligence have become the heartbeat of Sunderland's build-up play. His experience on the biggest stages could yet prove the difference between mid-table stagnation and a genuine push for playoff contention.