Granit Xhaka has become a better 'leader' since leaving Arsenal, according to Rio Ferdinand.
The 31-year-old midfielder was often maligned during his seven-year stay with the Gunners between 2016 and 2023, during which he made 297 appearances and won two FA Cup titles.
But Xhaka has left us in no doubt of his quality since leaving the Emirates, playing a key role as Bayer Leverkusen went the entire 2023/24 domestic season unbeaten to win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double while also reaching the Europa League final.
And Xhaka has continued that form into the European Championships, leading Switzerland to the quarter-finals after an impressive group stage and a shock 2-0 win over holders Italy in the last 16.
In that knockout game at Berlin's Olympiastadion, Xhaka created a match-high three chances and completed more passes (94) than any other player on the pitch, with 16 of those passes going into the attacking third.
Rio Ferdinand hails Xhaka 'maturity'
Xhaka's performance against the Azzurri drew widespread praise from a number of ex-players and pundits.
Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand was particularly impressed with Xhaka, hailing the midfielder's 'maturity' and 'leadership'.
"At Arsenal, he showed glimpses of this, but with Bayer Leverkusen and now Switzerland, he showed real maturity," Ferdinand told BBC One after Switzerland's win over Italy.
"He breaks the lines and finds the passes. He makes the right decisions 99% of the time. There was a real dominance in his performance, he's a leader in this team and you can see that in every part of his game right now."
Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin echoed Ferdinand's sentiment, saying during his BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of the match: "Granit Xhaka was a very good player for Arsenal, but he was an accident waiting to happen with bookings.
"Xhaka is so much more controlled and his fitness looks great – he is controlling the entire game."
Switzerland will now await the winner of England vs Slovakia in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Saka vs Slovakia France 1-0 BelgiumBye Belgium PORTUGAL VS. FRANCE IN THE EUROS QUARTERFINALS France take down Belgium to reach the Euro 2024 quarterfinals Tag a Portuguese & Say Nothing.. Thoughts on France's EURO 2024 so far.. END OF AN ERA. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, BleacherReportFootball, AZRor...
Bayern Munich ace Joshua Kimmich is unsettled and wants a transfer, with the Germany star already having made his preference clear once Euro 2024 is overJoshua Kimmich has won it all at Bayern Munich and now he wants a new challenge (Image: AFP via Getty Images)Unsettled Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich is hell-bent on joining Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.Liverpool and Arsenal are also being ...
Juventus remain determined to retain the services of Adrien Rabiot amid interest from AC Milan and Liverpool.Juventus want to retain Rabiot Liverpool and AC Milan interested Midfielder is currently a free agentWHAT HAPPENED?The French midfielder is a free agent at the moment after his Juventus contract expired on June 30. The player is tipped to join another club ahead of the 2024-25 season, howev...
Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't hold back the tears after missing a penalty in the first half of extra-time against Slovenia.Ronaldo broke down after missing a penaltyFans mocked Portugal legend on social mediaSelecao set to face France in the quarter-finalWHAT HAPPENED?The stage was set for the 39-year-old to score a record-breaking goal and guide his team to the quarter-final of Euro 2024 as Portugal...
Bayern closing in on signing Xavi SimonsAccording to Sky Sport in Germany, Bayern Munich have reportedly agreed personal terms with Xavi Simons' representatives and are hopeful of landing the Netherlands international this summer.The former Bundesliga champions will now negotiate terms with Paris Saint-Germain as the player still has a contract with them until 2027.Liverpool and AC Milan-linked Ra...
Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three penalties in the shoot-out against Slovenia, after Cristiano Ronaldo had missed one in extra-time, to send his side into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after a night of high drama in Frankfurt.Slovenia, the lowest ranked side left in the competition, had battled their way through a goalless 90 minutes, and went close themselves through Benjamin Sesko.Ro...
Jan Vertonghen’s 85th-minute own goal was the fatal blow for Belgium, who were knocked out of Euro 2024 after a 1-0 last-16 defeat to France in Dusseldorf.France, who have yet to net a goal in open play, have struggled to find the back of the net, coming out of the group stage having scored the fewest goals in an opening round since the 2010 World Cup.Didier Deschamps’ men might have w...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Thank you Jude England 2-1 Slovakia 90+4" England v Slovakia Switzerland 2-0 Italy belike Oh well The England vs Slovakia referee: lol Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss)...
We revealed in May how the Blues were looking to snatch Boca Juniors ace Aaron Anselmino, 19, from under the noses of United.Chelsea have won the race to sign Aaron Anselmino from Boca JuniorsThe Red Devils had scouted him for months and was first linked with a move to Old Trafford and then AC Milan earlier this year.The 6ft 2in defender made his senior debut for Boca just over a year ago only mon...
The Manchester City boss is understood to be impressed by his ability to play out from the back — and his defensive qualities.Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Jarrad BranthwaiteOld Trafford rival Erik ten Hag also wants the 22-year-old but United’s opening £35m bid was laughed off by the Toffees.Pep is thought to be pondering a move for Branthwaite, alt...
- 1 Moment topless Italian fan waves flag out of car window and jiggles bum
- 2 Grealish boards private jet in Cannes after donning dodgy wig in St Tropez
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Daily Laugh - Switzerland 2-0 Italy
- 5 Belgian WAGs fume about their set 'cuddle time' by the boss at Euro 2024
- 6 Lauryn Goodman shares bikini pic lounging on a yacht
- 7 Gareth Southgate praises England for invoking spirit of 1966 after dramatic win
- 8 Glamorous Ecuador fan in just bikini and fishnet stockings
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Daily Laugh - Arsenal and Juve eye Calafiori