Granit Xhaka goes off injured after four minutes as Sunderland beat Chelsea 1-0

The injury

Granit Xhaka, 34, was replaced after four minutes of Sunderland's Premier League home match against Chelsea on Sunday, 8 November. Watson reported that he twisted his left ankle while going for a long ball, and Blick said the pain was presumably in that joint. No diagnosis has been given yet. Xhaka walked to the bench under his own power without medical help, according to RTS, but further examinations are needed to establish how serious the injury is and how long he may be out. Jules Ahoka, 20, came on in his place. The 152-cap captain had been recalled to the squad by national coach Murat Yakin on Thursday, 5 November, and was expected to report to the Swiss camp on Monday.

Sunderland's win

Xhaka's reunion with his former Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, now in charge of Chelsea, was cut short by the injury. Sunderland, bottom of the Premier League table, took the lead from a penalty that Frenchman Enzo Le Fée scored in the 36th minute. Sunderland then made the most of their structure, defending solidly and staying disciplined without their midfield leader. Chelsea sent on Estevao for Colwill in the 46th minute, but Sunderland held on. Sunderland committed many fouls to break Chelsea's rhythm, and several yellow cards followed. Luke O'Nien (90th minute), Sunderland coach Régis Le Bris (90+1), Wesley Fofana of Chelsea (90+2) and Nilson Angulo (90+4) were all booked. The game ended after 97 minutes. Blick described it as the second full league win of Sunderland's season, which eases pressure in the relegation fight.

Switzerland's schedule

Xhaka missed the first four Nations League matches after admitting in September that he had bought a forged vaccination certificate in 2022. Together with the football association he decided to skip those games. In October he was sentenced to a suspended fine of 50 day-rates at 3,000 francs each. Without him, Switzerland won all four of their matches in League B, Group 1. Their next games are away in Slovenia on Friday, 13 November, and at home against Scotland in St. Gallen on Monday, 16 November. Watson said it was open whether Xhaka could take part in those fixtures.

What comes next

The immediate question is whether Xhaka can join the national squad when it gathers on Monday. Sources give no timeline for his recovery, and no source says when a diagnosis will be available. Switzerland's coaching staff will monitor his condition before deciding whether he can play. Without their captain, the team would lose one of its most experienced players in the national side's history.