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Jamie Carragher has hailed Granit Xhaka as his signing of the season - overlooking Liverpool's summer acquisitions.
The Sunderland midfielder made a triumphant return to the Premier League, joining the Black Cats from German team Bayer Leverkusen over the summer. The 33-year-old penned a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light, marking his return to the top-flight two years after departing Arsenal for the Bundesliga.
Shortly after joining Regis Le Bris' squad, Xhaka was appointed captain, and the former Emirates stalwart has rapidly become an indispensable player for Sunderland as the team adjusts to life back in the Premier League.
The Championship play-off winner currently sits fourth in the top-flight, maintaining its impressive start to the season with a draw against Everton. Xhaka has been ever-present, not missing a single minute of Sunderland's first 10 Premier League matches.
The Swiss star's goal secured a point against the Toffees, earning him additional accolades from Carragher.
"He must be the signing of the season," Carragher said on Sky Sports. "When you think of someone who's influential on their team, I've been calling Manchester City the Erling Haaland team, but is there anyone right now in the Premier League having a bigger influence on their club than Granit Xhaka?
"There can't be. An absolutely brilliant signing so far."
Carragher added: "I thought Granit Xhaka was absolutely fantastic. Not just the goal. Head and shoulders above everyone else on that pitch tonight.
"When you think of the results this weekend, Burnley, who have come up, lost. Leeds, lost. It's another point. You just keep ticking along. Because there will come a stage this season where Sunderland go a few games without picking points up."
Xhaka hadn't anticipated a return to the Premier League after his departure from Arsenal. However, he's been impressed by his new club and is eager to contribute to its success.
"I didn't expect to come back to the Premier League after going to Germany, but in football you never know where you land," he said.
"After two years in Germany, where I had a lot of good things with titles and I got a lot of confidence with a coach like Xabi Alonso, who was a similar player to me in the No. 6 position, he gave me a lot of advice.
"In the end, to be back, it makes me happy. I knew the project from the club and to bring the experience as well as quality, and to show the guys day-by-day working.
"I hope I can help them. We have one objective: to give everything and see where we land."
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