Sunderland: Granit Xhaka raised the standards at the club, says Dan Ballard

Dan Ballard says Granit Xhaka’s arrival has raised the bar Sunderland To help them compete in the top half of the Premier League.

Swiss midfielder Xhaka was one of several summer signings after the club was promoted from the Championship through the play-offs.

The 33-year-old, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen, has been appointed captain, and his leadership has clearly had an impact on the side that has returned to life in the top flight.

Sunderland currently sit eighth in the standings – just two points behind the top four – after their 1-0 derby win over Newcastle on Sunday.

Ballard, who was in the Arsenal academy when Xhaka was at the Gunners, told Football Focus: “He’s a great guy.

“I was a bit surprised when we signed him. I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like. I didn’t think one person could impact the team the way he does.”

“From the first minute, I think the standards really went up because he does everything 100%.

“It’s like, well, if he’s had such a great career and still does everything so well, why shouldn’t we? And I think that’s just kind of raising the bar.”

Sunderland have won seven and lost just four of their 16 league games, and Ballard has put Xhaka’s influence down to that winning mentality.

“I mean literally everything, from the work in the gym to the standards he delivers on the training pitch,” the 26-year-old centre-back added.

“You know we were just outside, it can be cold and wet, but he is 100% focused and giving everything in training.

“So, when some boys don’t do it and you see them doing it, it’s unacceptable to us.

“If he did that, he would have won titles and played hundreds of games in the Premier League. So why shouldn’t we do that? He has lifted everyone.”