Sunderland spent £161m on 15 new players after winning promotion to the Premier League in the summer of 2025.

This time round, just £60m was invested on five players.

Most fans, however, will have been delighted to keep hold of experienced captain Xhaka and forward Brian Brobbey, who scored seven league goals last season before going on to score three for the Netherlands at the World Cup.

Brobbey, who has signed a new contract until 2031, has yet to score since returning from a hamstring injury, while former Arsenal midfielder Xhaka was downbeat after last weekend’s defeat at newly promoted Coventry.

“I don’t know exactly what the problem is,” said the Switzerland midfielder.

“Is it concentration? Is it other things? We are bottom of the league but in football you need to think positive and to show courage as well.

“This is not the case at the moment.”

Carl Jenkinson, who was at Arsenal with Xhaka, told BBC Sport his former team-mate’s remarks were “concerning”.

“He seemed really deflated and that is very unlike Granit,” added the former full-back, who made 41 Premier League appearances for the Gunners between 2011 and 2019.

Laurens said the form of Xhaka and Mukiele, who helped Sunderland towards 11 clean sheets in the top flight last season, had dipped significantly this season.

“They are the leaders and they are way below the levels they had,” he added. “The first one to pay the price [for the team’s poor form] is usually the manager.”



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