So like I have said I watch Xhaka a lot and know if we get him he can be a key piece for our future.
Here is an article written about him January 2014
Tactical Analysis: How has Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Granit Xhaka’s developed this season?
by David Raher • January 24, 2014 •
Borussia Mönchengladbach are enjoying a great season so far under manager Lucien Favre. Mönchengladbach sit in 3rd place on 33 points after sixteen games, one point ahead of Borrussia Dortmund. Mönchengladbach boast the joint 3rd best defensive record in the Bundesliga conceding just 19 goals in 17 games a record bettered only by Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. Mönchengladbach are also not bad down the other end of the pitch boasting the 4th best attacking record in the Bundesliga this season, scoring 35 goals in 17 games with only Bayern Munich, Dortmund and Hoffenheim have scored more goals.
One of the standout players for Mönchengladbach during this season is Swiss international, Granit Xhaka who Joined the German side from Basel in 2012 for a fee estimated to be in the region of €8.5 million. After taking a year to adapt to life at Mönchengladbach, Xhaka has began to really showcase his ability during the 2013/2014 campaign so far, emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s top young talents. His ability can be seen in Mönchengladbach’s victories over Freiburg and Schalke.
Xhaka’s Passing stats Vs Freiburg
In the above fixture and against Schalke we saw what a fine passer of the ball Granit Xhaka is. Throughout both games Xhaka made a total of 206 passes in which 180 passes were successful giving him a pass accuracy of 88% which is his total average for the season so far. In the passing graphic from the Freiburg victory you can clearly see that the majority of his passes comes in a deep midfield position and very few near the opponents box which gives further evidence that he is playing defensive midfielder/deep-lying play-maker but Xhaka does have the ability to take the ball forward into the opponents half to help out in the attacking play which helps break down the opposition defense.
Granit Xhaka is a midfielder that loves to tackle and is not afraid to leave his foot in. During both games Vs Freiburg and Schalke, Xhaka had 100% tackle success making six tackles, using his high stamina to get around the pitch and win the ball off of the opponents. In Xhaka’s opening six games for the season he was booked five times causing him to serve a suspension against Augsburg. Xhaka disciplinary record has improved throughout the next 10 as he was booked only twice and hasn’t been sent off in his 16 appearances for Mönchengladbach.
During both games Xhaka demonstrated that he possesses the ability to break down the opponents attacking play with his ability to read the game to be in the right place at the right time to intercept the opponent’s attacking play, making six interceptions to go with his six successful tackles. It is a key aspect of Xhaka’s game, getting around the pitch and given opponents little time on the ball to create chances.
Bundesliga’s midfielders defensive actions ranking
Granit Xhaka has been showing his ability throughout the season, he is currently ranked the 3rd highest midfielder for his defensive actions according to Squawka. Xhaka averages five defensive actions per game, which is one more than teammate Chris Kramer. Throughout his 16 appearances, Xhaka has made 35 interceptions, which is an average of 2.1 interceptions per game. Xhaka has made 38 clearances in his 16 appearances, which is an average of 2.3 clearances per game and has made seven defensive blocks. The stats show Xhaka possess great ability in his defensive side of the game.
Xhaka’s average duels
Granit Xhaka average tackling success is at 58% completing 38 of his 65 tackles, which further demonstrats his defensive strengths. Xhaka’s average take on success is 71% completing 17 of his 24 take ons which demonstrates he has the ability to bring the ball forward into the oppositions half. Throughout his 16 appearances Xhaka has created a total of twelve chances; eleven key passes and one assist. It is one aspect of Xhaka’s games that will need improving if he intends to contribute to Mönchengladbach attacking play more effectively.
Conclusion
Granit Xhaka has improved since his arrival at Mönchengladbach and has become a key member this season for the Bundesliga outfit after striking up a good midfield partnership with Chris Kramer who is on-loan from Bayer Leverkusen. Xhaka will be hoping to continue his good performances with Mönchengladbach as they are challenging for a Champions League spot and with the World Cup in the summer, Xhaka will want to go to Brazil with Switzerland in good form. If Xhaka has a good second half of the season and have a good World Cup it will alert some of Europe’s biggest names of the possibility of him improving their team. Xhaka is only 21, he still has aspects of his play to improve to become a more rounded midfielder, but he is clearly developing very well.
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