The sale of the Switzerland international to Mark Hughes’ side would go down as one of the most bizarre transfers in the history of the game if it was to occur, and it would also represent a significant loss for the Milanese club.
From FC Bayern to Inter Milan – then to Stoke? The £12 million signing of Xherdan Shaqiri would undoubtedly be one of the bargains of the transfer window if the Potters were to acquire his services. Quick, unpredictable on the ball, and adept with both feet, the electric winger possesses an astonishing amount of ability.
The man nicknamed the ‘Alpine Messi’ has taken somewhat of a nosedive in form since his arrival at Internazionale in January 2015. Just two goals from 17 appearances was his return under Roberto Mancini, however it was Shaqiri’s general play that led to widespread criticism. He failed to get involved in team play in many Serie A fixtures and was also unsuccessful in showcasing his vast array of talents for the Nerazzurri, rarely getting past his man and not linking well with teammates.
And it appears this underwhelming second half of the season is enough to convince Mancini that the Switzerland international does not have a future in the black and blue of Milan, with rumours suggesting Inter and Stoke have agreed a £12 million price tag on the player.
As a neutral, one would look at this transfer and wonder whether there is something strange in the air in Milan. £12 million for a 23-year-old full Switzerland international who has scored a hat-trick at a World Cup and is bookmarked as one of the best young wingers in the game does not appear to be good value on Inter’s behalf. Factor in that Mancini’s side desperately needs more wide players – talented ones such as Shaqiri do not grow on trees – and you would be forgiven for believing Mancini as well as the senior figures heading the transfer activity at Inter Milan are deluded.
Despite a substandard 2015, the club should do everything within its power to hold onto the fleet-footed winger.
All players, especially young ones, go through indifferent patches of form. After featuring on a semi-regular basis at a European powerhouse in Bayern Munich, it can only be understandable that Shaqiri man would take time to adjust to the tactically astute Serie A.
The 2015-16 season would be one that could offer Shaqiri a shot at redemption in the colours of Inter, with an increased amount of talent coming into the squad prior to the season’s opening round. The coming season could be one where Inter Milan makes a statement in not only Italy but the footballing world, with the 23-year-old being in the centre of that. A squad boasting the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Mauro Icardi, and Shaqiri is one that could aim for the top three in the present and challenge Juventus for the Scudetto in the near future.
Without the Switzerland international, Inter would have to start from scratch in looking for wide players, an area in which Mancini himself has addressed as one in need of improvement. Either that or continue with a narrow diamond in midfield, resuming the team’s one-dimensional approach.
Mohamed Salah, Ivan Perišic, and Juan Cuadrado have all been linked to the club, however Shaqiri at his best is arguably the most lethal of the four. This is backed up by his performances on the biggest stage of all – the World Cup. The aforementioned hat-trick against Honduras in 2014 was the highlight of the FC Basel youth product’s tournament.
However, the man also known as the ‘power cube’ dazzled in all four games. Shaqiri created a staggering 17 chances whilst boasting a pass accuracy of 87% and shot accuracy of 62%. As well as this, he led Switzerland’s Squawka performance score for the tournament with 220, being one of only two players that reached triple figures in this aspect.
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It is only a matter of time when Shaqiri’s international form translates onto the pitch at club level. And when that time comes, Inter (if it holds onto him) will have quite the player at its disposal. The sale of the wide-man, however, would symbolise a transfer howler for the Nerazzurri, both in a sporting and financial perspective, and would peg the club back in its attempts to return to supremacy in Serie A.
Whoever has Shaqiri on their books this coming season will be significantly boosted. Stoke could offer the former Bayern man a reprieve, yet would be seen as a step back. Inter, on the other hand, is the perfect place for the Switzerland international to make that long awaited next step in improving his game.
All he needs is a chance to show his worth.
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Keep shaq inter !!!
bring him to the potters