|
|
A substitute for now, but Arjen Robben’s successor in the long-term - what Xherdan Shaqiri’s signing will mean for Bayern
With an agreement between Basel and die Roten imminent, Goal.com profiles the Swiss starlet, whose style of play bears a striking resemblance to that of the Dutch winger
07-Feb-2012 1:57:31 PM
Bongarts
ANALYSIS
By Clark Whitney | German Football Editor
Arguably the most spectacular Bayern Munich goal in recent years came on March 9, 2010. With his team in danger of being knocked out of the Champions League by Fiorentina, Arjen Robben cut inside from the right before unleashing an unstoppable long-ranged effort into the top-left corner of the net.
Six months later, almost to the very day, then-18-year-old Xherdan Shaqiri mimicked the Dutch winger as he scored Switzerland’s only goal in a 3-1 loss to England. Everything about the effort was signature Robben: the run parallel to the goal line, the slight body feint to create space ahead of his marker, the sheer audacity of having a go from some 25 metres. And on that day, a star was born.
Fast-forward to the present, Shaqiri has since scored countless similar goals, affirming his class even in the Champions League. Like Robben, he has a cannon of a shot and is an exceptional dribbler. But also similar to the Dutchman, has a notorious attitude: he has a reputation for being stubborn with the ball at his feet, and since his Super League debut in 2009, he has been booked more times than he has scored. The most obvious difference between the two is that - perhaps because of his limited years - Shaqiri is not yet as explosive and physically powerful as the former Chelsea and Real Madrid man.
Shaqiri’s development has not gone unnoticed: he was heavily linked with Galatasaray in January, but now appears destined for a move to Munich. His brother recently opined that Bayern would be the best place for the player to develop, and on Monday, a detailed report surfaced asserting Shaqiri’s summer transfer would be confirmed within the next two weeks.
Should the move indeed materialise, there will be no mystery as to what role Shaqiri will play at Bayern. The 20-year-old is a left-footed winger who prefers to play on the right - much like the oft-injured Robben - but has filled in on the left and could deputise for Ribery should the Frenchman be unavailable.
Neither of the current starters typically manages to stay fit for very long, and with the Frenchman nearing 29 and the Dutchman already 28 years of age, Shaqiri - who is expected to sign a contract until 2016 - could be a long-term replacement.
An added bonus is that while Ribery and Robben will participate at Euro 2012 - and undoubtedly return to training fatigued and needing an able-bodied deputy - Shaqiri will be absent from the summer tournament due to Switzerland’s failure to qualify. While many of Europe’s top stars will be forced to trudge through a gruelling campaign, he will be raring to prove himself on the big stage.
A deal of course is yet to be confirmed, and it is possible that Bayern and Basel may not come to an agreement over a transfer. If not, Shaqiri has a chance to prove his value in an audition later this month in the Champions League last-16 as Basel play host to Bayern at St. Jakob-Park.
Follow Clark Whitney on
By Clark Whitney | German Football Editor
Arguably the most spectacular Bayern Munich goal in recent years came on March 9, 2010. With his team in danger of being knocked out of the Champions League by Fiorentina, Arjen Robben cut inside from the right before unleashing an unstoppable long-ranged effort into the top-left corner of the net.
Six months later, almost to the very day, then-18-year-old Xherdan Shaqiri mimicked the Dutch winger as he scored Switzerland’s only goal in a 3-1 loss to England. Everything about the effort was signature Robben: the run parallel to the goal line, the slight body feint to create space ahead of his marker, the sheer audacity of having a go from some 25 metres. And on that day, a star was born.
Fast-forward to the present, Shaqiri has since scored countless similar goals, affirming his class even in the Champions League. Like Robben, he has a cannon of a shot and is an exceptional dribbler. But also similar to the Dutchman, has a notorious attitude: he has a reputation for being stubborn with the ball at his feet, and since his Super League debut in 2009, he has been booked more times than he has scored. The most obvious difference between the two is that - perhaps because of his limited years - Shaqiri is not yet as explosive and physically powerful as the former Chelsea and Real Madrid man.
Right now, Bayern is the best club for Xherdan, but it is clear that he can only develop further abroad - Erdin Shaqiri, to Basler Zeitung
|
 |
|
Shaqiri’s development has not gone unnoticed: he was heavily linked with Galatasaray in January, but now appears destined for a move to Munich. His brother recently opined that Bayern would be the best place for the player to develop, and on Monday, a detailed report surfaced asserting Shaqiri’s summer transfer would be confirmed within the next two weeks.
Should the move indeed materialise, there will be no mystery as to what role Shaqiri will play at Bayern. The 20-year-old is a left-footed winger who prefers to play on the right - much like the oft-injured Robben - but has filled in on the left and could deputise for Ribery should the Frenchman be unavailable.
| XHERDAN SHAQIRI | Basel, Winger, 20 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Neither of the current starters typically manages to stay fit for very long, and with the Frenchman nearing 29 and the Dutchman already 28 years of age, Shaqiri - who is expected to sign a contract until 2016 - could be a long-term replacement.
An added bonus is that while Ribery and Robben will participate at Euro 2012 - and undoubtedly return to training fatigued and needing an able-bodied deputy - Shaqiri will be absent from the summer tournament due to Switzerland’s failure to qualify. While many of Europe’s top stars will be forced to trudge through a gruelling campaign, he will be raring to prove himself on the big stage.
A deal of course is yet to be confirmed, and it is possible that Bayern and Basel may not come to an agreement over a transfer. If not, Shaqiri has a chance to prove his value in an audition later this month in the Champions League last-16 as Basel play host to Bayern at St. Jakob-Park.
Follow Clark Whitney on
Inside Goal.Com
-
The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A
With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer
-
Euro 2012 Dream Team: Ronaldo & Van Persie feature
Goal.com puts together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
Euro 2012 Tactical Analysis: How far can Roy's masterplan take England?
England are a diminished lot, with the experienced players like Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill all ruled out of the Euros. Goal.com's Sarthak Dubey analyses their chances..
-
Euro 2012 Trivia: Which team has no player from their domestic league?
In another episode today of Euro Trivia , we bring to you another tricky question..!
Which is the only team in Euro 2012 who have not called up a single player from their own domestic league?
A. Denmark.
B. Poland
C. Czech Republic
D. Republic of Ireland.
Test your knowledge with Goal.com and send in your response. -
Euro 2000 Legends: Zinedine Zidane, France
Zinedine Zidane led France to their second European success with his vital goals and important assists. Zizou masterminded the French revolution from his midfield throne...