Former Switzerland figure hits out at Granit Xhaka to Chelsea talk during World Cup | OneFootball

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is attracting interest from Chelsea, and the speculation has irked a former Switzerland player and coach as his country prepare for a World Cup round of 32 tie with Algeria.

The midfielder’s first season on Wearside was a success, his leadership helping Regis Le Bris’ side finish seventh and qualify for the Europa League.

Xhaka joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 and starred in an unbeaten Bundesliga title campaign. He scored the winner in the German Cup final against FC Kaiserslautern, and only defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League final denied a treble. He spent one further season in Germany before returning to the Premier League with Sunderland.

Interest from Chelsea has grown as new manager Xabi Alonso seeks a reunion at Stamford Bridge. The Black Cats remain adamant Xhaka is not for sale at any price.

“What bothers me is that these things are happening during the World Cup. Granit is very focused and can block that out, but we should be talking about the upcoming opponent, Algeria, not Chelsea. I’m not interested in what Granit does after the World Cup right now. Chelsea aren’t just any club. And if I were Xabi Alonso and had the opportunity to sign Granit Xhaka, I would do it.”

He was speaking on Blick’s Forza podcast.

Source: Sunderland Echo