- Stefan Schwarz speaks exclusively to Read Sunderland
- Former midfielder hails Granit Xhaka and Regis Le Bris
- Feels Brian Brobbey and Enzo Le Fee will only get better
Former Sunderland midfielder Stefan Schwarz has explained the importance of Granit Xhaka and Regis Le Bris in an exclusive interview with Read Sunderland.
The Swede, who made 73 appearances at the Stadium of Light, believes both have been instrumental in the Black Cats’ successful first season back in the top flight.
Sunderland qualified for the Europa League after finishing seventh in the Premier League. Many had Le Bris’ men down as relegation candidates ahead of the campaign.
Schwarz hails Xhaka and Le Bris
Sunderland were extremely busy last summer, bringing 14 new players to Wearside. That included Xhaka, whom they paid Bayer Leverkusen around £17m to sign.
Xhaka arrived at the Stadium of Light off the back of a superb spell in the Bundesliga. He’d also spent years in the Premier League with Arsenal.
That said, nobody expected the 33-year-old to have as big an impact as he has. The Swiss midfielder has been a leader and proven to be an excellent acquisition for the Black Cats.
Schwarz, speaking with Read Sunderland via freebets.com, the home of best betting sites, reckons he’s been one of the best signings of the season:
“He is one of them for sure. It was a huge coup and what a signing for the Premier League, but for Sunderland, it was a brilliant signing. He set the tone in pre-season and from the opening minute he has been such a good leader for Sunderland, such a good role model and he took the opening half of the season by storm.”
Schwarz added:
“He has such a wealth of experience, he has been brilliant for the club and has given such huge confidence to the team and all the new signings. You can’t underestimate how good he has been. Sunderland were an unknown proposition and they really have showed brilliant team spirit, led by Xhaka.
Xhaka made 36 appearances across competitions in Sunderland’s return to the Premier League. He registered one goal and six assists and played a key role in back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Le Bris oversaw the club’s promotion to the top flight last season via the EFL Championship play-offs. The French manager overachieved by guiding his side to Europa League qualification this term.
Schwarz praised the coach:
“He should be up there for Manager of the year for sure. He has done a brilliant job for Sunderland. The recruitment has been spot on and he has gone under the radar as one of the best managers this season. He has led Sunderland so well this season, they have played a really good style of football, never give up and offering lots of strong passion and commitment from his players for the cause on the pitch.”
He added:
“So full credit to him and long may he continue to go under the radar. There is no reason he can’t have another good season if they retain all their players and then build on them. So yes, what an outstanding job he has done for Sunderland.”
Mikel Arteta has been named the Premier League’s Manager of the Season after guiding Arsenal to the title. But Le Bris’ achievements are just as impressive, having taken a newly promoted team to European qualification.
Schwarz excited about Brobbey and Le Fee
Not only did Schwarz lavish praise on Xhaka and Le Bris, but he also pointed out Brian Brobbey and Enzo Le Fee’s contributions.
Asked whether Brobbey could kick on and become one of the best strikers in the league, he responded:
“Why not. He has the physicality, he has a good eye for goal, he can score goals and looks to enjoy playing in the Premier League. He is a confident lad, he leads the line really well and can definitely grow under Le Bris. If he keeps listening and learning he can score more goals and then become noticed by bigger clubs. He then has to look at double figures in terms of Premier League goals next season to be noticed.”
Brobbey joined Sunderland from Ajax last summer for around £21m. The 24-year-old Dutch frontman bagged seven goals in 31 league games including the winner in a 2-1 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Schwarz also thinks Le Fee could be one to watch next season and will improve further:
“Enzo Le Fee has had a good season, but I do think he has more to give and score more and contribute more. I think he gets the Premier League, is a player and can really influence games with his contributions. He has had good games this season and he does have the potential to really get noticed next year with more in season 26/27.”
Le Fee also arrived at the Stadium of Light last summer when he joined from AS Roma in a £19m deal. The 26-year-old French midfielder caught the eye with five goals and six assists in 36 league games.
