Granit Xhaka’s influence on and off the pitch

Luke O’Nien has spoken candidly about working alongside Granit Xhaka at Sunderland, admitting that the experience has had a profound impact on him as a player and as a leader.

Speaking after Sunderland’s FA Cup win over Everton, O’Nien reflected on the responsibility he has carried this season and the influence Xhaka has had behind the scenes, particularly after moments such as the recent Premier League match against Newcastle United, when O’Nien addressed the team before the game as Xhaka deliberately stepped aside.

“To be honest, it meant everything,” O’Nien said when asked about Xhaka’s gesture before the match against Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light last year, which Sunderland won 1-0 thanks to an own goal by Nick Woltemade, Sunderland Echo reported on Thursday.

“He is one of the leaders, if not the best, in football, and he gave me this honour. Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to put into words how much that meant to me,” O’Nien said. “He is a special player. Sometimes I pinch myself that he is still here and that he is taking the club forward in so many different ways. The conversations he has, the way he is—before a game, he would tell me what was important, what to look for and what to do. He is such an easy guy to talk to, whether about football, family, the past or the future. He is just such a good guy.”

The Sunderland defender was clear that the environment created by senior figures such as Xhaka is raising standards throughout the team, regardless of individual playing time.

“I’m very grateful for the lads and for the whole team we have,” O’Nien said. “We’re in a good position, but if you stand still, you’re moving backwards. You have to keep moving forward.”

O’Nien’s long-standing connection with Sunderland, however, seems stronger than ever.

O’Nien also highlighted the broader culture within Regis Le Bris’s team, noting that the leadership group extends beyond one individual and is built on strong personalities and elite standards. “That’s supported by many other players like Enzo, like Nordi, like Omar and Lucha,” he added. “First and foremost, they are genuinely good human beings. Then you add their leadership skills and their ability—it’s something I’ve never seen before.

“We have players who play at the highest level, and I’m there every day learning from them. I appreciate how much they have given, how hard they work and how they have improved my game. I haven’t played as many minutes as I would have liked, but they have improved my game by watching them, pushing them every day and listening to the way they speak,” O’Nien said.