Arbenit Xhemajli seized his chance to impress in Sunderland’s U23 clash with Burnley in midweek, with Phil Parkinson admitting that the defender caught his eye, while speaking to the Chronicle.
Since joining the Black Cats from Swiss outfit Neuchatel Xamax on a free transfer, the Kosovo international has had to wait for his opportunity in those red and white stripes.
Xhemajli was left on the bench for the League One fixtures against Bristol Rovers and Oxford United with Bailey Wright, Tom Flanagan and Jordan Willis all ahead of him in the pecking order.
All three are expected to start again as Sunderland host promotion rivals Peterborough United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, although Xhemajli has done all he can to force his way into the first-team picture.
“I went to watch the game and he got better as the game wore on,” Parkinson said after the reserves lost 3-2 to a Burnley side inspired by returning striker Ashley Barnes.
“It was a good game for him to play in because, as everyone knows, Burnley very much play an up-and-at-you style of football, whether it is the first team or the U23s.
“It was a good test for him, and it showed that in England you don’t get time on the ball, you have to win your headers and deal with the ball quickly.
“But he is a quick learner.”
Xhemajli, a beast of a man at 6ft 3ins, clearly doesn’t struggle with the physical aspect of the game. In a few pre-season appearances in Sunderland colours, the 22-year-old caught the eye with his impressive leap and his presence in set-piece situations.
That should bode well for him in the rough and tumble of lower league football.
Xhemajli should also benefit from the news that former Everton youth captain Morgan Feeney, another defender who joined Sunderland on a free over the summer, could miss four months through injury (Chronicle).
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