Move over Xhaka: Sunderland “diamond” is Regis Le Bris’ future captain

Sunderland fans are already counting down the days until their beloved Black Cats return to Premier League action.

In a perfect world, supporters on Wearside would have preferred their in-form side to keep playing straight through the international break rather than being forced into a pause.

Remarkably, Régis Le Bris’ team sit fourth in the Premier League at the time of writing — an incredible achievement considering the Frenchman has only just led Sunderland back into the top flight.

A major driving force behind their early-season success has been Granit Xhaka, who has quickly become one of the most admired figures the club has had in years.

How Xhaka stacks up against recent Sunderland captains

Before focusing on Xhaka’s meteoric rise as a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light, it’s worth remembering he isn’t the only standout leader Wearside has seen in recent seasons.

Just last year, Luke O’Nien fearlessly wore the armband throughout the campaign. Former Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson even praised him as a true “leader.”

With three goals and 16 clean sheets contributing to promotion, O’Nien was every bit as influential then as Xhaka is now in helping the Black Cats overachieve in the Premier League.

Other recognizable captains in recent years include John O’Shea, who made 256 Premier League appearances for Sunderland, and the tough-tackling Lee Cattermole, whose commitment and six top-flight goals still couldn’t prevent the eventual drop to League One.

That’s what makes Xhaka’s impact so impressive. His £13m arrival in the summer has raised standards across the squad, and Sunderland now look far closer to pushing upward than battling relegation.

The Swiss veteran has also delivered in high-pressure moments — such as his powerful goal against Everton in early November that secured a 1-1 draw. He also won five duels in that match, showing his trademark grit in midfield.

The only concern is his age. At 33, Xhaka is not a long-term captaincy option.

Fortunately, Le Bris may already be shaping his successor.

Sunderland’s captain of the future

While many of the headlines this season have focused on Sunderland’s new signings who’ve adapted seamlessly to Premier League football, Le Bris deserves credit for extracting even more from players who were already at the club in its Championship days.

Wilson Isidor has continued his impressive form with four Premier League goals after scoring 13 last season.

Meanwhile, Daniel Ballard has looked a rock at the heart of defence whenever given the chance. Early in his Sunderland career, Tony Mowbray even described him as a “diamond” for his willingness to put his body on the line.

Ballard has become every bit the dependable warrior Xhaka is. The Northern Ireland international even fired home a stunning strike past David Raya recently, giving Sunderland a shock lead over league leaders Arsenal.

Statistically, he’s not far behind the 33-year-old either. In fact, despite making just six Premier League starts due to injuries, Ballard has surpassed Xhaka in duels won per game — with six victories alone in the match against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

Sky Sports analyst Dougie Critchley has already praised his rise to Premier League level as “phenomenal.”

For now, Sunderland will continue to lean on Xhaka’s experience and authority. But the commanding number five looks every inch the natural successor — a future captain in waiting, ready to take over when the Swiss midfield general eventually passes on the armband.