Granit Xhaka promises to uphold Bayer Leverkusen's record-breaking reign

DONAUESCHINGEN – Granit Xhaka, the star player of Bayer Leverkusen, has urged his teammates to aim for another shot at the German Bundesliga title following their unexpected victory last season.

Eyebrows were raised when the Swiss midfielder arrived from English Premier League side Arsenal at the start of last campaign, with Leverkusen coming off a fifth-placed finish and with rookie coach Xabi Alonso preparing for his first full season as head coach.

But a club who had never previously won the Bundesliga did so undefeated – something no German side, not even Bayern Munich, had ever done – while adding the German Cup and losing just one of 53 matches in all competitions.

They were defeated by Atalanta in the Europa League final – the final match of the season.

Speaking at the club’s pre-season training camp in the picturesque village of Donaueschingen, Xhaka said last season was just the beginning.

“We know people are hoping to beat us, they will try and they will do everything,” he said. “But we still have the hunger to be where we were last season.”

After the best 18 months of his career, the 31-year-old said that criticism during his time at Arsenal spurred him on. He played 297 times for the Gunners but often came under fire from fans, sometimes for being too emotional on the pitch.

Switzerland captain since 2018, Xhaka was made Arsenal skipper a year later, but had the armband stripped from him after a month for an outburst against fans who cheered when he was subbed off.

The midfielder said all those criticism has been instrumental in his rebirth at Leverkusen.

“I’m a fan of criticism, because criticism makes you stronger. This is what I believe,” he insisted.

“I don’t drop my head, and I look at what they are criticising, and maybe I need to change some things. I believe every player needs to go through criticism... You need to be strong in your head, and to believe and trust yourself.

“Ten years ago, I was a totally different type of player, much more emotional. Today, I’m less emotional. I believe that experience makes you (who you are).”

Xhaka may not be Leverkusen’s captain – goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is the skipper – but he has quickly become their on-field leader and Alonso’s voice on the field as he looks ahead to the new season.

The team got off to a good start by beating Stuttgart to win the curtain-raising German Super Cup last weekend, and kick off their Bundesliga campaign at Borussia Monchengladbach on Aug 23.

How the season will play out remains to be seen, but with one eye on the future, Xhaka started his FA coaching badges while at Arsenal and is also an assistant coach at fifth-tier Union Nettetal.

He believes that would help him as a player as well.

“(The traineeship) helped me a lot, because a coach maybe thinks more far ahead than a player (does),” he said.

“The most important thing is that the coach trusts me, believes in me and (the influence) I can have on the team during the game. And if I can try and help the coach on the pitch, I will do it for sure.” AFP