Sunderland star Granit Xhaka hailed Switzerland’s greatest ahead of World Cup finals | OneFootball

Granit Xhaka has been hailed as the greatest player in Switzerland’s history by a former team-mate, with the Sunderland midfielder set to lead his country at this summer’s World Cup finals.

Xhaka’s influence was central to Sunderland’s remarkable campaign, the Switzerland midfielder providing leadership and nous as Le Bris’ newly promoted side defied expectations and secured European football for only the second time in the club’s history.

Switzerland will be captained by Xhaka in a group containing Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina and co-hosts Canada.

Former Switzerland midfielder Blerim Dzemaili said: “I’ve often said that, for me, Breel Embolo is the most important player in this national team. Of course, no one can get past Granit. Granit is probably the greatest player of all time for us. For those who’ve played alongside him, it’s almost an honour. For those who watched him play, it was something sensational.”

He was speaking to Swiss outlet Blick.

“But for me, Breel Embolo is so important, because at that moment, and I remember very well the match against Scotland in the Euros, the moment the opposition takes Granit out of the game, we have few options. And what is the solution? A long ball to Breel. And 99 per cent of the time, the ball is definitely there. And that’s why with Breel, we have a very important player who allows us to play differently.”

Source: Sunderland Echo