Granit Xhaka’s opening Euro 2020 appearance has been met with heavy criticism from pundits back home who questioned his leadership skills.

Granit Xhaka Switzerland Baku Azerbaijan Copyright: JustPictures.ch/JustPicturesPlus
Granit Xhaka Switzerland Baku Azerbaijan Copyright: JustPictures.ch/JustPicturesPlus

Granit Xhaka captained Switzerland to a 1-1 draw against Wales on Saturday but, according to pundits in his home nation, his performance warranted only a 4 out of 10.

“For me, Xhaka was enough, nothing more,” George Bregy said. Criticising their captain for having “too little influence on the game,” he added, “He had no ties, was never really in the game, never hit an opening pass, never went forward. He was in his comfort zone.

“Xhaka wants to be a leader, then he has to show it.”

Blick’s Rene Weiler agreed. “Xhaka is an excellent player with a flair, but he has to graduate more often, into the danger zone,” he said. “The defenders behind him can all play football, it’s not about passing quality but about efficiency. About going into the interfaces, but that’s not Xhaka’s style. ”

According to Fotmob, Xhaka’s performance was worth a 6.6, a score only three players got lower than (and two of those were Welsh players).

Xhaka is expected to complete a move to Roma after the Euros conclude but, while the player and Italians have reportedly found an agreement that will see him take a big pay cut, Arsenal and Roma are at a bit of a stalemate when it comes to the fee.

Over the weekend, it was reported that Arsenal had turned down a third bid for their former captain, who has, for some reason, dyed his hair Aaron Ramsey blonde:

 

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