Chris Sutton expects Switzerland will rely on Granit Xhaka and Arsenal target Noah Okafor at the World Cup. He feels they will have to lead Nati to get out of Group G at Qatar 2022.
Switzerland will face Cameroon, Brazil and Serbia on November 24, 28 and December 2 for a Round of 16 spot. Nati have made the knockout stages at the past two editions of FIFA’s quadrennial tournament. But they have not progressed past the last 16 since back in 1954.
- EXCLUSIVE: BOURNEMOUTH’S GREENWOOD ON ENGLAND’S WILSON AT THE WORLD CUP
- EXCLUSIVE: BEN GREENWOOD ON O’NEIL, PARKER AND KEEPING CANTWELL AT THE CLUB
Murat Yakin oversaw the final stages of Switzerland’s qualification for Qatar 2022 after he took charge in August 2021. Nati moved on from Vladimir Petkovic after seven years at the helm. The 59-year-old stepped down on the back of reaching the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.
Xhaka will captain Switzerland in the Middle East and flew to the Arabian Peninsula amid a terrific season for Arsenal. The 107-cap skipper has shone in a box-to-box role under Mikel Arteta with four goals and three assists from 20 appearances from a free-roaming position.
Qatar 2022 is Xhaka’s fifth major tournament with Switzerland after appearing at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups plus Euro 2016 and 2020. Okafor, on the other hand, is off to his first at 22 years old. The nine-cap striker made his debut in 2019 but became a regular in 2021.
Sutton expects Xhaka and Arsenal target Okafor to shine for Switzerland in Qatar
RB Salzburg star Okafor heads to his first World Cup as a transfer target for his Switzerland teammate Xhaka’s Arsenal. Calciomercato reports the Gunners plus Leeds United and AC Milan admire the centre-forward. He has hit 10 goals in 22 games for his club this season.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg also cites Liverpool and Manchester City as two possible suitors for Okafor. He adds RB Salzburg are not against selling the striker over the winter, either. But a move would cost an interested club €35-40m (£30.5-35m) in January.
The 6ft ace’s versatility to play out wide and through the centre adds to his price tag. As do three of his goals coming in the Champions League with one against AC Milan, Chelsea and Dinamo Zagreb. Now, Sutton expects his talent to shine on the World Cup stage in Qatar.
Sutton has noted in his column for BBC Sport how Okafor and Arsenal’s early Player of the Year contender, Xhaka, must carry the burden for Switzerland to enjoy a good World Cup.
“Switzerland knocked France out of Euro 2020 on their way to the quarter-finals but I don’t see them having the same impact at this World Cup,” Sutton wrote. “Xherdan Shaqiri has been their go-to man for the past few years but he is playing in the MLS now.
“So, a lot will rest on the shoulders of Granit Xhaka – who has been superb for Arsenal this season – and young Red Bull Salzburg striker Noah Okafor, who is definitely a player to watch.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
