Sunderland Debate Emerges As Jules Ahoka Shines In Place Of Granit Xhaka In Chelsea Win

Sunderland starlet Jules Ahoka continues to marvel and defy expectations for the Black Cats with his latest stunning performance, this time against Chelsea, which has birthed an interesting debate regarding the 20-year-old and Granit Xhaka.

Sunderland beat Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday afternoon, courtesy of a first-half penalty from Enzo Le Fée, in a vastly improved, recognisable performance that saw Regis Le Bris' side finally get back to winning ways in the Premier League.

However, it was a worrying start for the Black Cats against Xabi Alonso's side, as captain Xhaka was forcefully substituted in the first minute due to injury, which has since been confirmed as a calf injury that he suffered during the last sprint of the warm-up that the veteran midfielder couldn't run off after kick-off despite wanting to play.

As a result, Le Bris turned to his bench and introduce young midfielder Ahoka, who has been arguably Sunderland's most exciting signing of the summer window thus far after arriving from Royal Antwerp in an £8.6m deal after just four senior outings for the Belgian side. 

Thus far, the Sunderland boss has mainly deployed Ahoka in the Europa League and Carabao Cup competitions as the Congolese starlet continues his rapid development, but his outstanding performance against Chelsea has created an unforeseen yet interesting selection debate for Le Bris to contend with heading forward.

Is Ahoka now undroppable from Sunderland's starting XI following his staggering outing in the centre of midfield against Chelsea?

For a 20-year-old midfielder, who had played just 25 minutes of Premier League football prior to the Chelsea clash, to run the midfield with ease against a £115m player in Moises Caicedo, when coming in from the cold unexpectedly in the first minute, is truly remarkable.

Ahoka was an absolute revelation against Alonso's side, screening the resolute Sunderland backline incredibly with effortless ease, playing a pivotal role in the Black Cats' best performance in several weeks with a display that warranted his man-of-the-match award.

Against Chelsea, the Sunderland starlet made the most defensive contributions of any player on the field (14), won six out of eight ground duels and played four passes into the final third in an all-round outstanding midfield display.

Statistics aside, what makes the Congolese youth international even more impressive is the intangible and uncoachable attributes he showcases to great effect, being the way he utilises his body shape to protect the ball and then create space to progress possession.

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Ahoka has such a unique profile and there, admittedly at this early stage of his career, appears to be no weaknesses to his game in central midfield, as he has the combination of football IQ, technical quality and physicality to make him an unstoppable force in midfield, as the likes of Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Academy of Light graduate Jordan Henderson found out on Sunday.

Overawed by his performance, the Stadium of Light faithful have drawn comparisons to the likes of Yaya Toure and Patrick Viera with Ahoka, and that is genuinely not hyperbolic when it comes to the potential future superstar.

As a result, it begs the question as to whether Ahoka deserves to retain his place at the base of Sunderland's midfield following the international break, keeping midfield metronome Xhaka on the bench in the process, in a clear change of the red-and-white guard.

Clearly, Sunderland will have to wait regarding the extent of the Swiss captain's potential injury, but if Xhaka is forced for a small period on the sidelines, then Ahoka's display against Chelsea has proven that he is not only the understudy and heir he was signed in the summer to be, but the 20-year-old is ready to fight for the ex-Arsenal figurehead's throne in Le Bris' side.