A few weeks after his departure from OL, Xherdan Shaqiri has regained his colours. Switzerland is rubbing its hands.
On February 9, Olympique Lyonnais announced the transfer of Xherdan Shaqiri (30) to Chicago Fire for €7 million. A surprise departure for the Swiss, who arrived from Liverpool only a few months earlier, author of 2 goals and 3 assists in all competitions in the Rhone jersey. A choice he will explain on the sidelines of his official presentation within the Major League Soccer franchise.
“I wanted to leave France, the opportunity arose with Georg (Heitz, sports director, who knew Shaqiri in his debut in Basel). The project is exciting. I wanted to try something new. I don’t want to talk too much about Lyon, I prefer to talk about Chicago. But there was something with the coach, tactically and personally, where I didn’t get along well with him.”he confided.
Pointed out, Peter Bosz, he had contented himself a few days before this exit of his former player, to justify the difficulties of the Swiss international (101 selections, 26 achievements) at Les Gones with tactical considerations. “Shaq is a very good player, he often played on the right too at Liverpool. But in an extremely offensive team, placed very high on the ground, close to the opposing surface, and there his qualities are expressed. But unfortunately, we weren’t as strong. His qualities are there. We thought we would play differently.”said the Dutch technician at a press conference.
Switzerland is under the spell
In the United States, the left-hander seems to have found the flame, but, above all, the rhythm and therefore the legs. He thus played the first 4 days of MLS in their entirety (2 wins and 2 draws), with two assists and a penalty goal to his credit. An enthusiasm and a form found that he exported on his return to the selection. Holder on Saturday, against England (2-1, friendly), the No. 23 shone in the game, notably delivering a decisive pass from a corner for Breel Embolo.
Eighty minutes of good quality, rewarded with a score of 5/6, particularly in the columns of Blick and the praise of Time. “Xherdan Shaqiri who gave a brilliant display of his talent. His golden exile in Chicago will not change anything. He remains the master of the Swiss team., can we read in the pages of the local daily. But also and above all by the strong statements of his national coach Murat Yakin, definitively conquered.
“You can see with Xherdan now that he’s got his groove back. He shows great enthusiasm for the game. He was able to put very good balls, especially in the central position.he feasted before continuing. “Especially in the first half, Shaqiri was instrumental in our good performance, he made some nice moves. That’s exactly what I want to see from Xherdan. In our system, that makes perfect sense. We can look for it even more in the game.” No doubt, away from OL, Xherdan Shaqiri feels better, but then much better.
