He's been developing very well. Both Milan and Arsenal interested in a January move.
Granit Xhaka
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He's struggling to start for Gladbach. Never performed really well in the Bundesliga and Gladbach was playing way better with him on the bench at the end of the year. Can't see him taking the next step to an even bigger club, right now. Gladbach probably wouldn't mind selling him with a small profit. I thought he was the most disappointing new player in the Bundesliga so far this season.
He's started in half of Gladbach's league games, which isn't at all bad for a twenty year old debuting in the new league. In the handful of games he's played in his best position (driving from deep) he's been very good; understandably less effective when utilised higher up the pitch, a position he isn't really comfortable with and which doesn't make use of his best attributes. I'm not sure exactly how much you were expecting of such a young player joining a team in transition, but it seems to have been far more than could reasonably be justified if you seriously deem his season thus far as being a disappointment.
I wanted both him and Shaqiri at United but it didn't happen. Anyway, his transition to Bundesliga didn't went as well as I thought.
Gladbach does not have a top squad though. The level of competition on his position is very low. Infact he lost his spot to Thorben Marx (31 years old) who is pretty much a mediocre player at best.
With a signing fee of roughly €8.5mil he was the second most expensive player in the clubs history. For any Bundesliga club in Gladbach's situation that's a huge sum, so people probably expected him to at least secure himself a spot as a regular starter.
From what I've read he also seems to have a bit of an attitude though that does not seem to be a serious problem yet.
If I look in his marks he played the first 8 Bundesliga matches as a starter. The first 3 matches were decent to good - the last 5 average to bad to real bad to bad. Since then he was subbed into the matches 4 times.
Cup and Europa League the same.
Gladbach struggled at the start (in which Xhaka started) as the key players of last year left and they had to get a new game plan. Since the middle of the season it is better - and since then Xhaka does only get a little playing time.
But - winter break. New chance. It is normal that a young one from another league struggles. Shaqiri started real good - but then had some decent matches - and plays well again the recent matches he was playing. And he got enough playing time - especially as Robben was out half of the season - about a 1000 minutes is more than he could expect.
Cup and Europa League the same.
Gladbach struggled at the start (in which Xhaka started) as the key players of last year left and they had to get a new game plan. Since the middle of the season it is better - and since then Xhaka does only get a little playing time.
But - winter break. New chance. It is normal that a young one from another league struggles. Shaqiri started real good - but then had some decent matches - and plays well again the recent matches he was playing. And he got enough playing time - especially as Robben was out half of the season - about a 1000 minutes is more than he could expect.
An annoying, diving bastard. Only seen him a few times. Was crap all games, dived and moaned the whole game. Then saw him live, thought "who's this prick?' and I got my answer when he got subbed.
First of all, he's an AM who prefers to play just behind the strikers. He hardly played as a CM for Basel and in the Swiss team he plays infront of 2 holding midfielders.
He had a good start at Gladbach but faded after 8 games or so. It is a different rhythm, different environment, different pace. It is all a learning process but he has a very good coach. I cant see him leaving, as he knows he has a lot to learn and to improve and 2nd, he has not showed his best form yet that would really attract the big clubs just yet.
I dont doubt that he will move to a big club in 2-3 years though
He had a good start at Gladbach but faded after 8 games or so. It is a different rhythm, different environment, different pace. It is all a learning process but he has a very good coach. I cant see him leaving, as he knows he has a lot to learn and to improve and 2nd, he has not showed his best form yet that would really attract the big clubs just yet.
I dont doubt that he will move to a big club in 2-3 years though
I wouldn't class him as an AM at all, though such descriptions can be vague. He's a proper central midfielder imo, akin to Ramires of Chelsea but with a far sweeter pass; certainly not a behind-the-striker AM.
Has a bright future at only 20 years of age. Intelligent, hard working, tough & skilled. Can play just about anywhere in the midfield but excels as a DM. Gets the hogrider comparisons but he reminds me of a more skilled Inler
He plays behind the lone striker for the Swiss team and has done so at Basel behind Frei and Streller. Never seen him play in a 2-man midfield, only as the most advanced in a 3 man midfield.
If he plays as a DM he's competing against Nordveit for that position? Hopefully he won't be able to dislodge him 
Inler is really good and it would be great if he could reach his level - let's see if he can establish himself as a proper midfielder. Inler has the discipline and the fighting power to do so.
One of the main reasons why he went off the boil is his confidence. He was superb for Basel, got good feedback when playing for Switzerland and there was always some hype. In the interviews, he's always super confident, a bit cocky. So now, with things being a bit tougher and without as much protection as in Basel, he needs to find his feet again and build up the confidence
Insightful take and concur on Inler (I'm a massive fan of the player)
Heard a lot saying he would be a good signing. 22 years old, a CM, highly rated and wouldn't cost a fortune. Sounds promising.
Nah.
Get out.
I didn't know his forename was Granit. Interesting.
That is one fantastic name. Rock 'ard.
He's been great for Gladbach this season but it's hard to know how much of that is down to the system, tactics, organisation etc. of the team. How's he doing for Switzerland these days? If he maintains the same level I'd happily take him here.
Difficult to know, but at the same time it is worth noting he has been in brilliant in different roles. He has been with Gladbach for three years, and it seem like he is able to raise his level a couple of inches every year and this season he has been a dominating figure. Still only 22, but probably the perfect time to move on.
In his first season at Gladbach, I remember they played him as an AMC in several matches. I've always felt he is a natural DMC, in the Carrick/Xabi-nature, but you might need more experience in that position. Furthermore, Gladbach play with box-to-box midfielders. I think he really would prosper as a deep-lying playmaker in a 433.
It is amazing to consider that he has been more or less a regular for four-five years by now. Thinking back Gladbach was a good move for him.
My only concern about Xhaka is his lack of pace. Isolated I would not consider it to much of an issue, but Man Utd should probably try to avoid another slow midfielder to have a nice mix of qualities.
What's a fortune in your opinion? He just signed a new 5 year contract in February and Gladbach will play Champions League next season. They already lose the other half of their brilliant midfield, because Kramer returns to Leverkusen. They sure as hell won't let Xhaka leave on the cheap.
20m should do it, tight?
His release clause for next summer is € 30M, so I don't see them selling him for less than € 35M this summer. They most likely will have to play the CL play-offs and losing both Kramer and Xhaka would put them at a severe disadvantage which could cost them millions if they fail to qualify.
They'll finish 3rd in my opinion. They're better than Leverkusen and will win the game between the two. Either way, Xhaka's release clause can't be triggered before 2017. They won't sell him for additional 5m 2 years prior to that, they're not stupid.
Getting Granit and Stones would make us rock solid at the back.
My mistake, I thought his € 30M relase clause becomes valid in 2016 and the € 25M in 2017.
Good joke, but I seriously want the cu to sign both of them.
Brilliant!
35M eur is around 25 GBP which isn't an awful lot for us. Wouldn't make much of a dent in our transfer budget. Definitely cheaper to shop in Europe this summer than back in the PL.
get clint hill in and you'll be very hard to get over
Me too. I wonder if Arsenal might have won something in their drought if they'd bought him at some point.
Everyone's raving about Schneiderlin but I think this guy is just as good, if not better, and he'd be an amazing choice to take over from Carrick. He's not the fastest but he makes up for that with his physicality and ability to break up the play and dish out good passes.
Some talents are more difficult to understand than others. Their qualities are harder to spot, and maybe even underrated. At Manchester United we know this better than most fans as we have had the pleasure of enjoying two of the most vital and underrated midfielders of this century.
Several years ago, in a depressing game against Basel, a young midfielder caught my eye. I'm not sure why, but thinking back it must have been the way he passed the ball that attracted me. He was a teenager, but he was a complete passer; playing the ball short on one touch as well as longer passes. In particular I loved how he struck the longer passes with pace - like our very own Scholes. Always available for a pass. Dictating play. Unfaced. Against us! The young kid was Xhaka, obviously. Most were talking about Shaqiri after the game, but I was a lot more interested in the less flashy Xhaka.
When he left for Borussia Monchengladbach I was thrilled. Not only because Gladbach and Bundesliga was a good fit for a player at his stage of the carriere or that it ment he would play under Lucien Favre; a coach with great emphazis on technical ability and player development. The reasons was first and foremost that Gladbach is a club I for several reasons have an eye to, and that I as a consequens would get the chance to watch him develop. (I'm not look some in here, who manage to keep track on every young talent in europe, south-america and south of africa, unfortunatly.)
In his first season he was primarily a squad player, proving that the Bundesliga was a step up and the right move to secure his progress. Favre deployed him as a central midfielder and an attacking midfielder. The former position does not maximize his qualities in my opinion, but Farve might have seen it as a part of his development.
The next season he managed to become a regular and a central midfielder. He appeared more confident and mature.
In 2014/2015, his third season, he has established himself as a key player and, in my opinon, Gladbachs best player. The best player of the third best team in Bundesligaen! The last statement is of course disputable. According to Kickers player rating he has not been the best Gladbachplayer this season. That beeing said, Kickers playerrater always seem to favour germans, goalkeepers and attacking player. It is worth noting that his season average is not that much below Gundogan at his best (12/13) or Xabi Alonso this season (and above german international and team mate Christopher Kramer). That he has become a key player is indisputable; Granit Xhaka this season average 77 passes a game. More than any other Gladbachplayer. Next on the list of most passes in the Gladbach team is Jantschke with 59 and Kramer with 57. It is fair to say that Xhaka is a focal point. He also intercepts more balls than any team mate with 2,9 per game. Both statistics mirroring what type of player he is.
The numbers are reminiscent of a younger Carrick or Xabi. His game is too. He is an intelligent player with high awareness and positionell sense. Watching him play you will notice how often he identifies dangerous situations, and picks up the correct space to avoid a counterattack or a "breakdown" against. He has a certain patience in his game. That beeing said, he is not beeing deployed as a deeplying midfielder as of today. Gladbach plays with box-to-box midfielders, and even though I feel his natural postion is as a "balancing midfielder", Xhaka today has enough in his locker to be influential in a more advanced position too. Compared to Carrick he is a lot more aggressive and physical, and maybe a bit more similiar to Xabi Alonso in that perspect.
The biggest flaws of his game is probably his lack of pace and that he created a bit too many fouls. His lack of pace used to be a concern, but now I would say that he has adapted his game, and that he is just fast enough. Just like Carrick, Scholes or Xabi. Regarding the bit about too many fouls I hope its a part of his game that will mature without him losing too much of his aggression, which I love in a player. At the moment, he sometimes makes unncessary freekicks in the dangerous positions. It is unexpected from a intelligent player like him, and I think it is down to him not thinking in some situation, but playing on instinct. It might also be because he is a bit too attacking in Gladbachs system, and often ends up chasing players (which is not ideal with his lack of pace).
After three seasons in Gladbach he is, like he was after two seasons at Basel, ready to make the next step in my opinion. Gladbach appears to be able to offer Champions League next season. But a bigger club should be an option too. With five years as a senior on a high level, three years in the Bundesliga under Favre, he has optimized his options and made a good foundation for the next step. No wonder his teammates call him a "young Einstein".
Several years ago, in a depressing game against Basel, a young midfielder caught my eye. I'm not sure why, but thinking back it must have been the way he passed the ball that attracted me. He was a teenager, but he was a complete passer; playing the ball short on one touch as well as longer passes. In particular I loved how he struck the longer passes with pace - like our very own Scholes. Always available for a pass. Dictating play. Unfaced. Against us! The young kid was Xhaka, obviously. Most were talking about Shaqiri after the game, but I was a lot more interested in the less flashy Xhaka.
When he left for Borussia Monchengladbach I was thrilled. Not only because Gladbach and Bundesliga was a good fit for a player at his stage of the carriere or that it ment he would play under Lucien Favre; a coach with great emphazis on technical ability and player development. The reasons was first and foremost that Gladbach is a club I for several reasons have an eye to, and that I as a consequens would get the chance to watch him develop. (I'm not look some in here, who manage to keep track on every young talent in europe, south-america and south of africa, unfortunatly.)
In his first season he was primarily a squad player, proving that the Bundesliga was a step up and the right move to secure his progress. Favre deployed him as a central midfielder and an attacking midfielder. The former position does not maximize his qualities in my opinion, but Farve might have seen it as a part of his development.
The next season he managed to become a regular and a central midfielder. He appeared more confident and mature.
In 2014/2015, his third season, he has established himself as a key player and, in my opinon, Gladbachs best player. The best player of the third best team in Bundesligaen! The last statement is of course disputable. According to Kickers player rating he has not been the best Gladbachplayer this season. That beeing said, Kickers playerrater always seem to favour germans, goalkeepers and attacking player. It is worth noting that his season average is not that much below Gundogan at his best (12/13) or Xabi Alonso this season (and above german international and team mate Christopher Kramer). That he has become a key player is indisputable; Granit Xhaka this season average 77 passes a game. More than any other Gladbachplayer. Next on the list of most passes in the Gladbach team is Jantschke with 59 and Kramer with 57. It is fair to say that Xhaka is a focal point. He also intercepts more balls than any team mate with 2,9 per game. Both statistics mirroring what type of player he is.
The numbers are reminiscent of a younger Carrick or Xabi. His game is too. He is an intelligent player with high awareness and positionell sense. Watching him play you will notice how often he identifies dangerous situations, and picks up the correct space to avoid a counterattack or a "breakdown" against. He has a certain patience in his game. That beeing said, he is not beeing deployed as a deeplying midfielder as of today. Gladbach plays with box-to-box midfielders, and even though I feel his natural postion is as a "balancing midfielder", Xhaka today has enough in his locker to be influential in a more advanced position too. Compared to Carrick he is a lot more aggressive and physical, and maybe a bit more similiar to Xabi Alonso in that perspect.
The biggest flaws of his game is probably his lack of pace and that he created a bit too many fouls. His lack of pace used to be a concern, but now I would say that he has adapted his game, and that he is just fast enough. Just like Carrick, Scholes or Xabi. Regarding the bit about too many fouls I hope its a part of his game that will mature without him losing too much of his aggression, which I love in a player. At the moment, he sometimes makes unncessary freekicks in the dangerous positions. It is unexpected from a intelligent player like him, and I think it is down to him not thinking in some situation, but playing on instinct. It might also be because he is a bit too attacking in Gladbachs system, and often ends up chasing players (which is not ideal with his lack of pace).
After three seasons in Gladbach he is, like he was after two seasons at Basel, ready to make the next step in my opinion. Gladbach appears to be able to offer Champions League next season. But a bigger club should be an option too. With five years as a senior on a high level, three years in the Bundesliga under Favre, he has optimized his options and made a good foundation for the next step. No wonder his teammates call him a "young Einstein".
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Well, you've sold me.
so... is he any good?
Where do we sign?
That's pure unadulterated love. Not going to lie, my eyes went moist. And I didn't even read beyond this:
A combination of Carrick, Alonso and Einstein. I'm sold.
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