Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has firmly shut down any possibility of Granit Xhaka leaving the club to join Chelsea this summer. Xhaka has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but Le Bris insists his influential captain remains fully committed to Sunderland as they prepare to compete in the Europa League.
Switzerland's stars are fully motivated ahead of their monumental World Cup quarter-final showdown against reigning champions Argentina in Kansas City. Skipper Granit Xhaka has declared that his team is eager to cause a significant upset in the tournament, while several players relish the dream privilege of facing Lionel Messi for the first time.
Comprehensive match preview of Switzerland vs Algeria at World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news and more ahead of this round of 32 clash at BC Place in Vancouver.
Cole Palmer appears to have given his seal of approval to Chelsea’s pursuit of former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka, as new manager Xabi Alonso looks to reshape his midfield. The Blues are reportedly in discussions to bring the Switzerland international back to London from Sunderland in a move that would prioritise experience over youth.
Chelsea have suffered a significant blow in their summer transfer plans after Sunderland swiftly rejected an opening bid for Granit Xhaka. The Blues reportedly submitted an offer to reunite the midfielder with new manager Xabi Alonso, but Sunderland have deemed it "unacceptable" and insisted that he is not for sale under any circumstances.
Chelsea have reportedly entered talks with the representatives of Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka over a potential summer move to Stamford Bridge. The veteran Switzerland international is said to be open to the move, which would see him reunite with Xabi Alonso after their historic title-winning campaign together at Bayer Leverkusen.
The 2025-26 European season is almost in the books. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will face off in Saturday's Champions League final after both secured league titles in England and France, respectively, while there was joy for Bayern Munich in Germany and Inter in Italy as both won domestic doubles. Rounding out the 'Big Five' leagues, Barcelona successfully defended their crown in La Liga as Real Madrid tailed off in chaotic circumstances.
And there you have it - the 2025-26 Premier League season is over. Arsenal are the champions while West Ham have been relegated alongside Wolves and Burnley as Tottenham secured survival on the final day. While the football hasn't always been the most scintillating, it's been a campaign full of twists and turns at both ends of the table, making it difficult to predict any result given the increased parity among the teams in the English top-flight.
As the 2025-26 Premier League season draws to a close, it's time to look back on what has been a campaign full of twists and turns. Arsenal eventually saw off the challenge of Manchester City to secure the title, but European places and the final berth in the relegation zone are still to be decided into the final day.
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has implored the club to target Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka to address a chronic lack of leadership within the current squad. Schmeichel believes the experienced ex-Arsenal star is the ideal candidate to mentor emerging talent following his impressive £17m move to the Stadium of Light last summer.
Declan Rice is considered to be a leading contender for the 2025-26 PFA Player of the Year award, but Sunderland legend Don Goodman says the Arsenal midfielder “wouldn’t have an issue” with missing out to Granit Xhaka. One former Gunners star remains in the running to pip a current Premier League title contender to the most prestigious of individual accolades.
Sunderland star Granit Xhaka allegedly told a West Ham fan he would "see them outside" following his side's 3-1 Premier League loss at London Stadium. The Swiss international missed the defeat through injury on Saturday, and during his time in the stands, it seems he was on the receiving end of some stick. Now, one supporter has opened up on their supposed interaction.
Granit Xhaka was involved in an argument with a West Ham United supporter during Sunderland's 3-1 defeat at London Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Black Cats captain was ruled out of the fixture due to an ankle injury and was sat among his team-mates while the row with the Hammers fan occurred. A break in play allowed referee Thomas Bramall to pause the game and put an end to the incident.
The Christmas period is upon us, which means we are somehow already more or less at the midway point of the 2025-26 football season. As many of Europe's leading leagues pause for the winter break, it's time to take stock and reflect on four scintillating months of action. It's also the opportune moment to assess those players who completed transfers across the continent in the summer, now that they have a decent sample size of games under their belts.
As we head into Christmas, it's time to review the Premier League season so far. Each side has played 17 games out of 38 and we've got a good idea of who will be fighting for what this year. Arsenal boast a two-point lead at the top from Manchester City and a further one from Aston Villa, while Wolves already seem destined for relegation at a Derby-esque pace.
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