Granit Xhaka has confirmed that Chelsea made a move to sign him during the summer transfer window, but the Sunderland captain chose to turn down the Premier League giants because he believes his work at the Stadium of Light is far from complete.
Speaking on the Sports Agents Podcast, the Swiss midfielder described Chelsea's interest as flattering, especially given his age, but insisted that his loyalty to Sunderland's long-term vision outweighed any temptation to leave.
"When I signed the contract here, there was a plan behind the scenes, and the plan was to stick to this project, to believe in this project, and to work for this project," Xhaka explained. He added that he never viewed his arrival at Sunderland as a short-term stopover, saying, "I always say to myself and to the people around, I didn't come here for one season. It's a big privilege that a football club like Chelsea want a player, nearly 34 years old."
The experienced midfielder acknowledged that there was substance behind the links to Stamford Bridge, but stressed that his dedication to Sunderland was never in doubt. "There was something behind, yes, for sure, but my commitment to the club was straight for it," he said.
Xhaka joined Sunderland ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and quickly became a central figure in the club's resurgence, wearing the captain's armband as the Black Cats secured qualification for the Europa League. He featured in 34 Premier League matches during his debut season on Wearside, playing a key role in the club's return to continental competition.
With two years still remaining on his current contract, Xhaka used the podcast appearance to reaffirm his commitment to the club's ambitions, revealing that he had made his intentions clear directly to Sunderland's ownership. "When I spoke with the owner of Sunderland, I told him from the beginning, I don't have the feeling that this project is done yet, and this is my motivation," he said.
The former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen man also expressed his enthusiasm for testing himself and the club on the European stage this season, alongside the club's supporters. "I want to enjoy the European football with this football club with the fans, and hopefully we can get more after this season," Xhaka stated.
Sunderland's return to European football will begin in earnest next Wednesday when they welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Stadium of Light for their opening Europa League league-phase fixture. The Black Cats have been drawn against a mix of continental opposition throughout the campaign, with Lech Poznan, Dinamo Zagreb and Anderlecht also among the sides they will face in the group stage.
Xhaka's decision to snub Chelsea's advances underlines the growing stability and ambition at Sunderland, a club that has rapidly transformed since its promotion back among England's elite. His leadership both on and off the pitch has been widely credited as a driving force behind the team's rise, and his public reaffirmation of commitment will likely be welcomed by fans eager to build on last season's progress.
As Sunderland prepare to embark on their European journey, Xhaka's presence and experience are expected to prove invaluable, particularly given his history of performing on the continental stage during his time in the Premier League and beyond.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.