Stoke City are officially relegated to the Championship. This bodes well for clubs like Newcastle United that are seeking the services of Xherdan Shaqiri.
The Swiss international is expected to leave Stoke City after the Potters were relegated to the Championship on Saturday. The former Bayern Munich and Inter-Milan winger has made it clear that he only wishes to play in the top tier.
Xherdan Shaqiri’s relationship with his current club has been gradually deteriorating as a result of some recent statements he made. Now that Stoke City’s relegation is confirmed, the Potters will surely entertain several offers for the “Messi of the Alps.”
One of the clubs on that list must be Newcastle United. Rafa Benitez constantly talks about improving the quality of his side and Shaqiri would be a significant upgrade to the roster. With the right offer and recruitment pitch, Newcastle could very well be a top contender for signing Shaqiri.
Proven Playmaker
Xherdan Shaqiri is undoubtedly the best player for both Stoke City and Switzerland. Granit Xhaka may be the most popular Swiss international, but Shaqiri is the most talented. Since arriving at Stoke City from Inter Milan, the speedy winger has scored 15 goals and gifted team-mates with 14 assists.
For both club and country, Shaqiri is the clear go-to man on the pitch. He has led Switzerland to multiple World Cup and Euro Cup tournaments and that is the type of leadership Newcastle need. Just as Newcastle’s offensive flow is heavily dependent on Jonjo Shelvey, Stoke City’s offensive efficiency relies on Shaqiri.
Time and time again, Shaqiri has been a human highlight reel with his impressive dribbling, strikes from distance and his ability cut in from the wing. Currently, Newcastle have decent wingers who can deliver strong crosses, but they cannot create chances for themselves. Shaqiri would provide the Magpies with more dynamic play on the wing, which would also improve field spacing for strikers in the middle.
Premier League Experience
Another major reason why Newcastle would benefit from signing Shaqiri this summer is because he has adapted to English football. Shaqiri has played in Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, but he has become comfortable playing in the Premier League.
Signing players who have never played in England is always a gamble as adaptability becomes an issue in some cases. Shaqiri has played well in the Premier League and is one of the most popular players despite playing for Stoke City.
Shaqiri has showcased his confidence, pace and aggression in the Premier League and this will surely attract many English clubs. Newcastle are at the stage where they can no longer make risky signings. Rafa Benitez is in dire need of a talented and experienced player such as Shaqiri.
Mentality and Attitude
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With every investment in a player comes a risk. In the case of Shaqiri, the risk is not linked to his quality as a player, but rather his attitude. While he has shown flashes of elite skill at Stoke City, he has also been a slightly arrogant player.
The last thing any manager wants in the locker room is a headstrong player who claims more than they deserve. However, Rafa Benitez is an experienced manager who has managed several elite players in Spain, England and Italy. Shaqiri’s attitude should not be a problem, but his ego may need to be contained every now and then.
Overall, the Swiss international would be a perfect fit for Newcastle United. The Magpies lack a true playmaker and the roster needs to encompass more big names. If Benitez truly aims to transform Newcastle into a top-six contender, he must work on securing the funds to purchase Xherdan Shaqiri this summer.