Granit "The Hacker" Xhaka | Likes his reds

[Powderfinger]

Ricardo Rodriguez has been flirted at by the media the past few years on/off (lazily, maybe, I'm not sure). Could be a high profile long-term type solution? I'm pretty sure he's good friends with Xhaka too, actually.

I would like Ricky Rodz, but if I'm being honest I haven't watched him at all really and only know him from being a must-sign player on Fifa 16. He and Xhaka are best mates and Rodriguez himself stated he would love to play for Arsenal, so maybe at the end of the season we would see Monreal move back to Spain and Rodriguez signed as a replacement.

Earlier this week I read that David Alaba was keen on Arsenal, though I can't imagine we would ever stump up the kind of cash for him that would be required. He would be the ultimate though.

He seemed to be keen on an Arsenal move this summer, reportedly had a very affordable release clause, and he had the Xhaka connection as well but Wenger didn't bite, which suggests to me that he doesn't really rate Rodriguez. Of course, Wenger may not be manager next summer so I guess we'll see.

I've only seen the player a few times. My general impression was that he had a great left foot and would be a threat going forward, crossing, and on set pieces but that he might be a defensive liability, prone to getting caught up field and without the elite speed to recover and the elite quickness to handle tricky wingers one-on-one without help.

 

[TheReligion]

The most expensive player of all time needs to be doing a whole lot more than playing well in a 1 all draw.

Should he play badly in it then? That makes no sense.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Should he play badly in it then? That makes no sense.

At that price he should be winning games single handidly, ala Suarez, Messi, Ronaldo etc.

And yes, I am wumming.

 

[Grinner]

Try the United tour. You might see some history and silverware.

Getting more like Liverpool every day.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Getting more like Liverpool every day.

conspiracy theories galore, the league is against them, big bad corrupt FA, winning the 'chances created league.' you couldn't make up half the rubbish you can read on here. it's like we've gone into a time-warp and are re-reading all the posts in the RAWK thread all over again

 

[TheReligion]

Getting more like Liverpool every day.

You can't mistake us. We have more titles

conspiracy theories galore, the league is against them, big bad corrupt FA, winning the 'chances created league.' you couldn't make up half the rubbish you can read on here. it's like we've gone into a time-warp and are re-reading all the posts in the RAWK thread all over again

It's almost like you should go and post elsewhere?

 

[cesc's_mullet]

It's almost like you should go and post elsewhere?

why though when it's this much fun?

anyway, back to Xhaka. Boy is he a handsome chap

 

[TheReligion]

why though when it's this much fun?

anyway, back to Xhaka. Boy is he a handsome chap

He's alright. Shame he can't play football. Maybe he could go into modeling?

 

[Grinner]

conspiracy theories galore, the league is against them, big bad corrupt FA, winning the 'chances created league.' you couldn't make up half the rubbish you can read on here. it's like we've gone into a time-warp and are re-reading all the posts in the RAWK thread all over again

Add spunking big money on mediocrity, managerial merry-go-round, living in the past.

It's all very sad.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Xhaka will be a mainstay in the side for years to come, there are very few footballers around that can pass it like he does from deep. I don't mind the cautious approach with him since we have Cazorla who has been very good in CM, though he obviously doesn't have the presence of Xhaka which is why I think the long-term partnership should be Xhaka and Coquelin.

But both Coquelin and Xhaka can be really rash which is something they need to temper.

His passing from deep suits our new set-up too when Sanchez plays up to, drops deep and Ozil runs into space or plays the furthest forwards, which has obviously made us much less predictable this season. Mustafi being a nice passer of the ball helps too.

 

[TheReligion]

Add spunking big money on mediocrity, managerial merry-go-round, living in the past.

It's all very sad.

When was Arsenal's last trophy again?

God bless Arsene Wenger

 

[cesc's_mullet]

When was Arsenal's last trophy again?

God bless Arsene Wenger

Since SAF retired Arsenal has performed better than United. When you take into account the respective size of the clubs, the amount of money spent and the expectations weighed upon each then the difference is laughable.

Right now United sit 8 points behind the pace and that is after breaking the record for the most expensive signing ever, and hiring Jose who has inherited one of the most expensive squads assembled.

There are simply no excuses for United to be performing the way they are at this point in time.

Hearkening back to the good old glory days to try and rub it in peoples faces doesn't change anything, and makes you seem a little desperate. Go and look at your Trophy cabinet, it won't change what's happening right now.

 

[TheReligion]

Since SAF retired Arsenal has performed better than United. When you take into account the respective size of the clubs, the amount of money spent and the expectations weighed upon each then the difference is laughable.

Right now United sit 8 points behind the pace and that is after breaking the record for the most expensive signing ever, and hiring Jose who has inherited one of the most expensive squads assembled.

There are simply no excuses for United to be performing the way they are at this point in time.

Hearkening back to the good old glory days to try and rub it in peoples faces doesn't change anything, and makes you seem a little desperate. Go and look at your Trophy cabinet, it won't change what's happening right now.

Arsenal have done nothing since the legendary Sir Alex retired. He even took your very own RVP off you and turned him into a PL winner. Something Arsene couldn't manage.

You can try and mock United all you like but if truth be told your club is the laughing stock of the Premier League. You've kept the same old management, bought a new stadium and even spent big on Sanchez, Ozil et al yet you still can't do it.

Perhaps you should focus on Arsenal and their massive short comings as opposed to United and what we are doing. Sorry to burst your bubble.

PS we are current cup holders, despite our unsettled spell post SAF. Let's see how you settle post Wenger.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Arsenal have done nothing since the legendary Sir Alex retired. He even took your very own RVP off you and turned him into a PL winner. Something Arsene couldn't manage.

You can try and mock United all you like but if truth be told your club is the laughing stock of the Premier League. You've kept the same old management and set up, even spent big on Sanchez, Ozil et al yet you still can't win.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

PS we are current cup holders, despite our unsettled spell post SAF. Let's see how you settle post Wenger.

I'm not mocking anyone, just pointing out the reality of the situation.

Most expensive player ever, one of the most expensive squads ever, biggest club in England and arguably the biggest club in the world today - yet sit 6th, 8 points off the pace which is backing-up some extremely underwhelming seasons. Those aren't the results befitting the biggest club in the land.

United have done nothing since SAF retired either, which is the point.

No one expects Arsenal to win the league each and every season.

This 'transition' period you mention (post-SAF) United are going through can be likened to Arsenal's own stadium transition period - where in our case a championship quality side had to be dismantled and players had to be sold off in order to make the move.

The fact we were able to keep in the CL throughout that period and receive that vital CL money, whilst having players like Eboue, Denilson, Djourou, Sanderos, Almunia etc. etc. play the majority of the games is a modern day miracle.

The difference is though United have been able to break the bank and spend more money than 99% of other clubs could ever dream of throughout this transition period, yet still aren't coming up with the results that are rightfully expected of a club of that size with the resources available to them.

There is only one team out of Arsenal and United that is being laughed at the moment by all other clubs. Maybe that will change in the coming weeks, but right now you know who it is.

 

[TheReligion]

I'm not mocking anyone, just pointing out the reality of the situation.

Most expensive player ever, one of the most expensive squads ever, biggest club in England and arguably the biggest club in the world today - yet sit 6th, 8 points off the pace which is backing-up some extremely underwhelming seasons. Those aren't the results befitting the biggest club in the land.

United have done nothing since SAF retired either, which is the point.

No one expects Arsenal to win the league each and every season.

This 'transition' period you mention (post-SAF) United are going through can be likened to Arsenal's own stadium transition period - where in our case a championship quality side had to be dismantled and players had to be sold off in order to make the move.

The fact we were able to keep in the CL throughout that period and receive that vital CL money, whilst having players like Eboue, Denilson, Djourou, Sanderos, Almunia etc. etc. play the majority of the games is a modern day miracle.

The difference is though United have been able to break the bank and spend more money than 99% of other clubs could ever dream of throughout this transition period, yet still aren't coming up with the results that are rightfully expected of a club of that size with the resources available to them.

There is only one team out of Arsenal and United that is being laughed at the moment by all other clubs. Maybe that will change in the coming weeks, but right now you know who it is.

United have won as much as Arsenal post Sir Alex. Despite being in a difficult period of adjustment we are still winning things on par with yourselves. You'd think you lot might have jumped at the chance whilst we slump but no. Still settling for mediocrity it seems.

That's what I've just got from your post. Excuses and modern day wonders of winning feck all. We should add CL qualification to your honours list perhaps. Now that really is embarassing.

You are the masters of underachievement. Specialists at failure. You know it. I know it. Everyone knows it.

 

[Donaldo]

I'm not mocking anyone, just pointing out the reality of the situation.

And that is the sentence TheReligions been hearing all his life. Found solace in big old successful United, and even they're letting him down now.

Anyway, back to Xhaka, the answer as usual is somewhere between 'he's been dogshite' and 'he's better than Pogba'. I'd expect him to start influencing games a lot more than he does, but its still early days. Doesn't help help that our wingers have the movement and sense of Academy players, and that our striker would rather run with the ball at his feet than run onto it. Negates a lot of Xhaka's key attributes and doesn't allow him to stretch the opposition as much as he did in Germany or in international games.

 

[TheReligion]

And that is the sentence TheReligions been hearing all his life. Found solace in big old successful United, and even they're letting him down now.

Shouldn't you be complaining about Poppy wearing to your local MP?

In all seriousness Xhaka might come good but he doesn't look 30m quids worth of midfielder to me. Not sure what Wengers transfer strategy is of late given he'll be off soon. You'd think he'd of gone for more proven like Sanchez and Ozil as opposed to Xhaka, Mustafi and that striker you got. Try and win something in his last season.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

United have won as much as Arsenal post Sir Alex. Despite being in a difficult period of adjustment we are still winning things on par with yourselves. You'd think you lot might have jumped at the chance whilst we slump but no. Still settling for mediocrity it seems.

That's what I've just got from your post. Excuses and modern day wonders of winning feck all. We should add CL qualification to your honours list perhaps. Now that really is embarassing.

You are the masters of underachievement. Specialists at failure. You know it. I know it. Everyone knows it.

It's no wonder your fellow supporters don't take you seriously on here.

 

[TheReligion]

It's no wonder your fellow supporters don't take you seriously on here.

See you lot give up too easily. That's your problem.

When the green laughing smilies come out you know the white flags been raised.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

See you lot give up too easily. That's your problem.

When the green laughing smilies come out you know the white flags been raised.

No mate, it means I'm laughing at you.

 

[TheReligion]

No mate, it means I'm laughing at you.

Glad I've cheered you up

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Cheers, no hard feelings

 

[Masterman]

This has become quite a discussion. I'm sure when Xhaka settles in and becomes a staple in the team, he will prove a decent player. I was underwhelmed when i saw him, but he clearly has potential and is still adapting to England. As I've said with other players, he is a long-term buy and should be judged in a few years.

With that said.

Xhaka is a better passer and playmaker than Pogba, his role in the team and what he could potentially become is very clear. He could become Arsenal's Xabi Alonso in the long run. Pogba is of course more talented than Xhaka but it still remains to be seen how he can fit into a title winning team.

 

[WackyWengerWorld]

I would like Ricky Rodz, but if I'm being honest I haven't watched him at all really and only know him from being a must-sign player on Fifa 16. He and Xhaka are best mates and Rodriguez himself stated he would love to play for Arsenal, so maybe at the end of the season we would see Monreal move back to Spain and Rodriguez signed as a replacement.

Earlier this week I read that David Alaba was keen on Arsenal, though I can't imagine we would ever stump up the kind of cash for him that would be required. He would be the ultimate though.

He looks pretty slow to me. Great cross and long passing but I can imagine he'll get skinned by pacey wingers

 

[Zoo]

Xhaka is a better passer and playmaker than Pogba, his role in the team and what he could potentially become is very clear. He could become Arsenal's Xabi Alonso in the long run. Pogba is of course more talented than Xhaka but it still remains to be seen how he can fit into a title winning team.

You sure about that? And if he set to be their Xabi Alosnso why was Wenger talking about preferring him as a box-to-box midfielder a few weeks ago? It seems Wenger isn't sure how to utilise him.

 

[OL29]

He's better than Pogba

 

[WackyWengerWorld]

You sure about that? And if he set to be their Xabi Alosnso why was Wenger talking about preferring him as a box-to-box midfielder a few weeks ago? It seems Wenger isn't sure how to utilise him.

I think that was more a case of looking at what roles he may fit into if needed, he also recently said:

“[Granit] needs to adapt, then we need to find the balance because he plays in a deeper-lying midfield position, and he passes through the lines,” said Arsène Wenger. “He needs to adapt to the way we play and the tactical pace of the English game. I am confident he will do very well.

“Yes [he is taking time to adapt] but that is part of the job. People want you to buy players but when you buy them we only have 11 spaces and not 22, and they feel sorry for the 11 who do not play. You want them to compete and convince you that they can get in the team.

“Granit is more a deep playmaker I think than a box-to-box player. He does not get in the final third of the opposition half a lot. He is more a guy who has a fantastic pass to play through the lines.

“He gets the ball from the defenders and finds the high midfield. His strength is what we call the ‘moderate-value pass’ - the passes that come from deep midfield to high midfield."

 

[OL29]

Xhaka is a better passer and playmaker than Pogba, his role in the team and what he could potentially become is very clear. He could become Arsenal's Xabi Alonso in the long run. Pogba is of course more talented than Xhaka but it still remains to be seen how he can fit into a title winning team.

This isn't true.

 

[Wengerscoat]

conspiracy theories galore, the league is against them, big bad corrupt FA, winning the 'chances created league.' you couldn't make up half the rubbish you can read on here. it's like we've gone into a time-warp and are re-reading all the posts in the RAWK thread all over again

I said this in the last few posts. Constantly reading about ''luck'' ''refs'', its like RAWK threads. When Liverpool fans used to moan about hitting posts, ''dominating'' and refs they were laughed at and rightly so. However a lot of posters here have started doing the same. I love Redcafe, by far the best football forum out there and such posts just bring the quality of some threads down.

 

[Robbie Boy]

I said this in the last few posts. Constantly reading about ''luck'' ''refs'', its like RAWK threads. When Liverpool fans used to moan about hitting posts, ''dominating'' and refs they were laughed at and rightly so. However a lot of posters here have started doing the same. I love Redcafe, by far the best football forum out there and such posts just bring the quality of some threads down.

Very true, to be fair. I hate the rubbish 'unlucky' stuff.

 

[Fridge chutney]

Xhaka is a better passer and playmaker than Pogba, his role in the team and what he could potentially become is very clear. He could become Arsenal's Xabi Alonso in the long run. Pogba is of course more talented than Xhaka but it still remains to be seen how he can fit into a title winning team.

Statistically it is not true that Xhaka is a better passer and playmaker, at least not in the attacking third. And I've seen no evidence as such either.

Juventus showed how he could fit into a title-winning team. His role is different at United, but we are off pace at the moment, so it is hard to gauge how Pogba's role will evolve as the team evolves under Mourinho. Same could be said about Xhaka.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Xhaka is a better passer and playmaker than Pogba, his role in the team and what he could potentially become is very clear. He could become Arsenal's Xabi Alonso in the long run. Pogba is of course more talented than Xhaka but it still remains to be seen how he can fit into a title winning team.

Pogba already showed that at Juventus. Xhaka on the other hand doesn't have to because the only trophy he's competing for is top 4 spot every season anyways.

 

[Wengerscoat]

Pogba already showed that at Juventus. Xhaka on the other hand doesn't have to because the only trophy he's competing for is top 4 spot every season anyways.

Not that different from United since Fergie left and they lost that ''trophy'' for the most part as well.

As for the thread, Pogba has immense talent, probably one of the most talented guys in Europe. Whether he fulfills that talent still remains to be seen. Still too early to judge. Can't be compared with Xhaka.

 

[Snow]

Not that different from United since Fergie left and they lost that ''trophy'' for the most part as well.

As for the thread, Pogba has immense talent, probably one of the most talented guys in Europe. Whether he fulfills that talent still remains to be seen. Still too early to judge. Can't be compared with Xhaka.

Don't fee the troll.

 

[TheReligion]

Xhaka is a better passer and playmaker than Pogba, his role in the team and what he could potentially become is very clear. He could become Arsenal's Xabi Alonso in the long run. Pogba is of course more talented than Xhaka but it still remains to be seen how he can fit into a title winning team.

If he's a better passer and playmaker than Pogba he's yet to show it.

He has zero assists to his name.

 

[WackyWengerWorld]

Statistically it is not true that Xhaka is a better passer and playmaker, at least not in the attacking third. And I've seen no evidence as such either.

Juventus showed how he could fit into a title-winning team. His role is different at United, but we are off pace at the moment, so it is hard to gauge how Pogba's role will evolve as the team evolves under Mourinho. Same could be said about Xhaka.

If he's a better passer and playmaker than Pogba he's yet to show it.

He has zero assists to his name.

You're both misunderstanding what a playmaker is by thinking a playmaker is solely about 'end product', which it isn't. A playmakers role is to control the tempo of the game, find players in space, pick a pass quickly, pick forward passes, pass incisively and accurately over a long range of distances and pass accurately. Xhaka does all of that to a high standard, especially the speed he plays his passes and the distance and accuracy of his long passes.

Xabi Alonso doesn't get too many assists but he's 1 of the best deep lying playmakers in the last 20 years because of these reasons. Xhaka comes from the same mould as Alonso.

 

[Donaldo]

Easy there soldier.

 

[Massive Spanner]

Xabi Alonso doesn't get too many assists but he's 1 of the best deep lying playmakers in the last 20 years because of these reasons. Xhaka comes from the same mould as Alonso.

Christ.

 

[TheReligion]

You're both misunderstanding what a playmaker is by thinking a playmaker is solely about 'end product', which it isn't. A playmakers role is to control the tempo of the game, find players in space, pick a pass quickly, pick forward passes, pass incisively and accurately over a long range of distances and pass accurately. Xhaka does all of that to a high standard, especially the speed he plays his passes and the distance and accuracy of his long passes.

Xabi Alonso doesn't get too many assists but he's 1 of the best deep lying playmakers in the last 20 years because of these reasons. Xhaka comes from the same mould as Alonso.

A playmaker should have some end product, even a deep lying playmaker like Xhaka if that's what you're suggesting he is.

I was responding to @Masterman and his ridiculously vague statement that Xhaka is a 'better passer and playmaker than Pogba'.

I would suggest Pogba is a more advanced and complete playmaker than Xhaka personally.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Let's cut to the chase:

Pogba is a final third player and has been shown to be completely ineffectual as a deeper lying CM at United and Juve. He can't control the tempo of a match and has looked lost when played there. That's why he is best suited to a 3 man midfield with someone else that does the legwork and someone that does the tempo setting (Pirlo).

But then again why would you want to play an impact player deep in midfield when his game is all about dribbling/driving and moments of individual brilliance? Maybe he will mature into a true CM in his latter years though, but I personally doubt it. It's more likely he will become a more direct goal threat.

This isn't arguable in any way and there are so many comments on here echoing these statements.

Xhaka is a deep lying midfielder who dictates play from deep. He naturally doesn't have as many assists as he's the one taking the ball off the CB's and starting moves. He's great at retaining possession and releasing runners from deep.