Le Bris Confirms Granit Xhaka Stay After Sunderland's 4-2 Liverpool Defeat

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris confirmed captain Granit Xhaka will stay at the club following a 4-2 preseason loss to Liverpool.

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris confirmed on Saturday that captain Granit Xhaka will remain at the club this summer, ending speculation regarding a transfer to Chelsea. The announcement followed Sunderland’s 4-2 preseason defeat against Liverpool, which took place in Nashville. Le Bris addressed the media at 02:49 PM ET on July 26, 2026, stating emphatically that the saga involving the Swiss midfielder is now closed.

Xhaka arrived at Sunderland last summer via a £17.2 million ($22.9 million) transfer from German side Bayer Leverkusen. During his debut season, he emerged as the team's standout performer, leading the squad to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League. This achievement secured the club a spot in the Europa League for the upcoming campaign, a significant feat for a side that had recently earned promotion to the top flight through the playoffs.

Chelsea Interest and Xabi Alonso Connection

Reports surfaced last month indicating that Chelsea were exploring a deal for the 33-year-old midfielder. The London club’s interest was fueled by Xhaka's previous working relationship with new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso during their time together at Leverkusen. Despite these links, Sunderland management maintained a firm stance against selling their captain.

Le Bris noted that Xhaka has been vocal about his commitment to the Wearside club. "He has been really clear about his future," the head coach remarked. "He loves Sunderland, he wants to stay in Sunderland. He wants to make the future of Sunderland." The manager further described the midfielder as a "good captain" and a "great leader" within the dressing room.

Squad Stability and Transfer Strategy

Following the Nashville friendly, Le Bris outlined a shift in the club's recruitment strategy compared to the previous year. Last season, Sunderland were forced to overhaul their roster by signing 14 new players. For the 2026 summer window, the head coach expects a much quieter period, emphasizing that the club is working "under the radar" to avoid the "mess" that public negotiations can create.

While the specific goalscorers and minute-by-minute statistics from the 4-2 loss to Liverpool were not detailed in the report, the result serves as the backdrop for the club's decision to retain its core leadership. Le Bris insisted that maintaining privacy regarding incoming targets is essential for the club’s success behind the scenes.

Building on Seventh Place

Sunderland’s ability to retain Xhaka is seen as a pivotal move for a team that defied expectations last season. After returning to the Premier League via the playoffs, the Black Cats bypassed mid-table safety to secure European qualification. The club is now focused on the 2026-27 preseason schedule and the upcoming Premier League summer transfer deadline to finalize a squad capable of competing in both domestic and continental competitions. Le Bris concluded by stating that while the club is working hard on additions, the volume of business will not match the 14 signings made during the previous cycle.