Switzerland Xhaka Euro 2016

Euro 2016 Player In Focus: Granit Xhaka

If you hadn’t heard the name Granit Xhaka before, you certainly will have by the end of Euro 2016.

 

 The 23-year-old Swiss already looks set for a switch to Arsenal and Gunners fans will get an insight into their new signing throughout the month of June.

 

Xhaka has been plying his trade for the last four years in Germany becoming a key man in the Borussia Monchengladbach midfield. He’s both adept in a more advanced role and in a holding position where he’s built up his reputation as one of the most highly thought of midfielders in Europe.

 

Once that transfer goes through and he arrives at the Emirates, he’ll likely play a deeper role, allowing the likes of Ozil and Sanchez to push forward, which is where he’ll be playing for his nation when they kick off their Euro 2016 Group A campaign against Albania in one of the most interesting games in the competition.

 

That’s because Xhaka could go up against his older brother Taulant, who chose to represent the birthplace of his parents. Naturally this is the first time it’s ever happened at a European Championship and eyes will be firmly focussed on the two brothers.

 

What they’ll likely see from Granit, is a player who works tirelessly to win the ball back and has a real desire, crunching into tackles and being an aggressor in the centre of the field.

 

His aggression has got him into trouble this season and he’s seen red for his club three times in the league, that’s more than any other player.

 

Nations could exploit that, just as Ronaldo and Portugal did with Wayne Rooney back at the 2006 World Cup, so he’ll have to stay cool if he’s going to make a name for himself for all the right reasons.

 

He’ll be hoping to go far with the Swiss in the tournament; they’ll be favoured to go through alongside France and he’ll have a big part to play in that.

 

What’s for sure, he’s all the experience to play a major role both for Switzerland and going into next season with the Gunners. Despite being only 23, he featured in the 2014 World Cup, scoring against France and he’s plenty of games in the Champions League too having walked out onto the pitch with FC Basel and his current club Monchengladbach.

 

He’ll certainly be one to watch this summer. His lung-busting box-to-box style of play is a real joy, and as a cultured passer of the ball too, Granit Xhaka could be on the back of a number of replica shirts next season.

 

The best odds for Switzerland to qualify from Group A at Euro 2016 are 1/3 and they’re 6/4 with Sky Bet to finish second in their group – that would be our betting tip.

 

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