Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been full of energy, unpredictability, and glimpses of promise.
A raucous Stadium of Light watched as the Black Cats stormed past West Ham with a convincing 3-0 win on the opening day.
Reality soon bit as a 2-0 defeat away at Burnley reminded everyone of the ruthless margins in the top flight.
Momentum was clawed back in dramatic fashion as Brentford were undone 2-1 by a stoppage-time Wilson Isidor strike.
However, the subsequent 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace highlighted the attacking inconsistency of a newly-promoted side still finding its rhythm.
A 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa showcased grit and determination. Sunderland battled for the majority of the match with 10 men and were unlucky not to claim all three points. If they had done so, they would have climbed to fourth in the table – unthinkable for a team promoted via the Championship play-offs only months ago.
With the shadow of relegation firmly in the distance for now, Sunderland next face a trip to Nottingham Forest. Ange Postecoglou’s side are still adapting to life under their new coach, and Sunderland will hope to exploit any teething issues.
What is clear, though, is that this squad will need big characters to drag them through the long campaign.
One summer signing in particular has already drawn parallels with a figure who once embodied Sunderland’s fighting spirit.
Henderson is the embodiment of Sunderland’s attitude
When fans think about Sunderland players who gave everything in red and white, Jordon Henderson’s name still comes up.
The midfielder, now 35, began his career at his boyhood club and went on to make 79 appearances, scoring five goals and registering 10 assists, per Transfermarkt.
His £20 million move to Liverpool in 2011 would see him lift the Champions League and the Premier League under Jürgen Klopp.
His 492 appearances for the Reds were defined not just by his technical ability as a defensive midfielder but also his ability to lead.
Named Liverpool captain in 2015, he held the armband for eight years, guiding one of the most successful eras in the club’s modern history.
His leadership extended beyond Anfield.
Henderson earned 85 England caps, scoring three times, including at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, per Transfemarkt.
This summer, he joined Brentford, where he has already made five Premier League appearances
Matches Played
5
Minutes
323
Progressive Carries
3
Progressive Passes
16
Assists
1
For Sunderland, Henderson’s example serves as a reminder: survival is not just about talent, but about attitude and responsibility.
One player in their current squad has stepped forward to assume that mantle.
Granit Xhaka is Sunderland’s modern-day Henderson
In a transfer that underlined the club’s intent, Sunderland secured Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee rising to £17 million.
The Swiss international, now 32, represents exactly the type of big character they need to stabilise themselves in the Premier League.
Xhaka brings enormous experience and has “been valued by so many” around him, per analyst Ben Mattinson.
He made 297 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions, where he won two FA Cups and wore the captain’s armband, per Transfermarkt.
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After leaving North London, he joined Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen project and played a pivotal role in their historic unbeaten Bundesliga title win in 2024.
The German side came agonisingly close to completing an unbeaten treble, only halted by Ademola Lookman’s famous Europa League final hat-trick for Atalanta.
For Sunderland, his decision to return to England is invaluable.
Xhaka has spoken about wanting to experience “solidarity and suffering” in this phase of his career, a mentality that fits perfectly with a club battling against the odds.
Already made captain at the Stadium of Light, he also continues to lead Switzerland, having represented his country at six major tournaments.
Xhaka has wasted no time showing his influence on the pitch.
In the 2-1 win over Brentford, he registered a 7.7 match rating across 90 minutes, contributing one assist.
His 73 touches and 59 passes (49 accurate) underlined his role as the heartbeat of Sunderland’s midfield, while his defensive contribution – three ground duels won and five clearances – provided balance.
That blend of composure in possession and determination without the ball is exactly what Sunderland require.
Just as Henderson once rallied those around him, Xhaka’s leadership and quality make him the modern-day equivalent.
He is a player who elevates those beside him, provides direction in tough moments, and gives fans belief that this squad can survive the Premier League storm.