Granit Xhaka lifts lid on failed Chelsea transfer, life under Xabi Alonso and Arsenal regret
Granit Xhaka has opened up on his failed transfer to Chelsea, life under Xabi Alonso, and his time at Arsenal.(Image: The Sports Agents podcast)
Granit Xhaka has explained why he decided to snub Chelsea and stay at Sunderland. The former Arsenal captain was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window as Xabi Alonso looked to bolster his options in the middle of the park, but a deal failed to materialise.
football.london understands the Blues were interested in signing Xhaka, whose contract at the Stadium of Light expires in June 2028. The Black Cats rejected an opening bid worth £8million, which they believed was wide of the mark.
The Switzerland international was understood to be open to reuniting with the Blues manager, having previously worked together at Bayer Leverkusen. But just as Chelsea began building a new and improved offer, Xhaka informed Sunderland that he would not force an exit.
So, the Black Cats stood their ground, and the Blues failed to secure the Swiss' signature. During an appearance on The Sports Agents podcast ahead of Saturday night's clash against Arsenal, Xhaka opened up on the summer saga.
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He described it as a 'big privilege' to be courted by Chelsea, but claimed he wanted to see out the project at the Stadium of Light. As quoted by Global Player, Xhaka said: "When I signed the contract here, there was a plan behind the scenes, and the plan was to stick to this project, to believe in this project, and to work for this project.
"And I always say to myself and to the people around [me], I didn't come here for one season. It's a big privilege that a football club like Chelsea want a player, nearly 34 years old. There was something behind, yes, for sure, but my commitment to the club was straight for it."
The Swiss playmaker added: "When I spoke with the owner of Sunderland, I told him from the beginning, I don't have the feeling that this project is done yet, and this is my motivation. I want to enjoy the European football with this football club with the fans, and hopefully we can get more after this season."
Xhaka featured 99 times across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen under Alonso, scoring six goals and providing nine assists. Playing a key role in the Spaniard's side, the Swiss won the Bundesliga unbeaten, the DFB Pokal, and the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.
According to Xhaka, it was his idea to begin playing a back-three in Germany, despite having previously done so at Real Sociedad B. The Sunderland midfielder claimed: "I remember the first game when I went to Leverkusen with Xabi Alonso.
"We played (against) Real Sociedad in Spain, a friendly game, and Xabi started a back four. But the feeling on the pitch was not right. So, I went to Xabi and said, ‘Xabi, I think that this team, back four, we will struggle a lot.’ He says, ‘Why?’ I say, ‘I think that we don't have these correct players for this back four.’ And he changed."
Towards the end of his appearances on The Sports Agents podcast, Xhaka briefly reflected on his time at Arsenal. The Swiss, whom the Gunners signed from Borussia Monchengladbach for about £35m in May 2016, spent seven years at the Emirates Stadium.
Xhaka won two FA Cups during his spell in north London, but he almost tarnished his relationship with the fanbase in 2019. During the second half of a draw to Crystal Palace on home turf, the Swiss was jeered and booed by Arsenal supporters as he was substituted.
It sparked a furious reaction from Xhaka, who sarcastically cupped his ear, shouted some choice words, took off his shirt, and stormed straight down the tunnel. He said: "What happened on this day, I think was a big, big, big misunderstanding between the fans and myself.
"I believe that what I did was not good from my side, for sure not, but as well from a fan side, not. If I can change this time in this moment, I would. But I can't. But this moment helped me for the next couple of years a lot."
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