Coach Celestini on Xhaka, Frei and Lang: weeks of truth for FCB veterans

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At FC Basel’s training start on Wednesday morning, three veterans are on the field who know the club inside and out: Taulant Xhaka (32), Fabian Frei and Michael Lang (32). They are all important figures, explains trainer Fabio Celestini (48). But everyone is no longer irreplaceable on the field, the coach also states. There are groundbreaking weeks ahead for the three of them, but also for Celestini herself.

Fabian Frei is an FCB record player with over 500 competitive appearances. He only has one contract left until next summer. Actually. He has a clause that extends his contract until 2025 if he plays a certain number of games this season. He announced this to the “Basler Zeitung” last summer. Will the goal be achieved soon? Frei tells Blick: “I played almost all the matches in the preliminary round. If it continues like this, it will be enough.” Conversely, this means that the next Fabian Frei season at FCB is not yet clear.

Celestini can also bench Xhaka and Frei

Taulant Xhaka has been part of the first team at FCB for twelve seasons, just as long as Frei. Unlike Thurgauer, Xhaka has been playing for FCB continuously for ten years. His contract runs until the summer of 2027 – a long time for a 32-year-old footballer. But Celestini suggests he has missed too many players of late due to suspensions and injuries. Xhaka was suspended at the start of the season and received another red card before Christmas. He will miss the start of the second half of the season against FCZ on January 21, a competitor in Xhaka’s position will get at least one chance.

Celestini does not want to guarantee the two routine players a permanent place. “They are very good players and know the values ​​of FCB, they have to pass them on. But their role is absolutely the same whether they act or not. But I am very happy with Fabian and Taulant at the moment.”

Only then will Celestini want to talk about his contract

For Michael Lang, a possible departure this winter is an open secret. GC speaks openly about its interest in a return campaign. Celestini on the right back’s lack of playing time: “He didn’t play, but my relationship with him is very good. We both spoke clearly to each other. He is a very good player, but I have recently chosen others.” At least Celestini wouldn’t fall out of the sky if Lang left. “In football, things can always happen quickly,” he says.

Celestini himself, who still has a contract until June, is not in the saddle much anymore. Although club boss David Degen raved about him in the Anderi Liga podcast in mid-December, according to Celestini, no contract talks have yet taken place – and there are none ongoing. “They offered me a longer contract at the beginning, but I said no. “Maybe that won’t happen until the results develop,” says Celestini. There are weeks of truth ahead, not only for the FCB veterans, but also for the coach himself.

Source : Blick