Xhaka on moving to Leverkusen: “It wasn’t a decision for my wife, it was for Bayer”

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After seven years at Arsenal, Nati captain Granit Xhaka (30) returns to the Bundesliga as a leading player – and will take direct responsibility at Bayer Leverkusen under coach Xabi Alonso (41). The former Gladbacher (2012 to 2016) expressed the high expectations of him and his goals in a media round. Xhaka about…

… the speculation that his wife Leonita, who comes from the Lower Rhine, influenced the change: “I read that too. Maybe the journalists in England know more than we in the family. But that wasn’t the reason at all. My wife told me from the start that she was there for me wherever I went. There I am very happy with it. In the end it was not a decision for my wife, but for the Bayer Leverkusen club. The new challenge appeals to me and I like the philosophy of the game.”

… his former Bundesliga reputation as an aggressive leader, which sometimes goes a bit too far: “I’m still that guy. This is my real face. I don’t want to change either, that’s my style of play. Sure: you’re definitely in a different mood when you’re 19 than when you’re 30. You go into the duels differently . If I’m late, I won’t get through like I did then. It’s not my goal to get a red card in every fifth game, but I want to keep this aggressive style of play. I will also pass that on to the team. Because I think that beautiful football alone is not enough.”

… his starring role in Leverkusen: “I was captain of Arsenal in 2019. Then this story came with the fans. I never had any problems with the boys and the club – it was more of a misunderstanding between the fans and me. When I came back to Arsenal like that after that, I got even more power. I was able to show what kind of personality is in me. I don’t like to talk about myself. But you can also praise yourself if the journalists don’t praise you like that. (laughs) Seriously, you learn from that kind of thing. You get stronger. At the end I was allowed to leave with loud applause. That was my number one goal. Am I a ready leader? I wouldn’t say that. I’m sure I will make mistakes, that’s part of it. But certainly less than before.

… Leverkusen’s Champions League goal: “That coincides with my claim. I am someone who thinks big. I expect a lot from myself, but also from the team and the club. I’ve seen a lot of Leverkusen’s games over the past few months. I liked many things. Maybe there was a little lack of experience in the team in the end. But this team belongs to the top in the Bundesliga.”

… his early start at Leverkusen after starting training four days ahead of schedule: “I’m the type of person who doesn’t need many breaks. I was away with my family for two and a half weeks – and then we decided with them that I would go to my new club a few days early. I also wanted to show that I I didn’t come here for fun. I’ve been given a role that is very important to me. I should bring the team with me.”

… his five-year contract – the last of his career? “I am currently working on my coaching license, I have already started my training in England. This month I will start with the A driving license. That will certainly play a role in the future. But I can’t say yet whether after five stop for a year. There are players who have been playing longer than 36 (Xhaka will be 31 in September, ed.). Hopefully I will be one too.”

Source : Blick