Speaking on Premier League productions’ Generation xG, Tim Sherwood has been discussing Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss midfielder has genuinely been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season. He’s silenced most of his doubters after years of derision, but there are still some who aren’t fans of Xhaka.
Indeed, while Sherwood says that Xhaka has improved this season, he also wanted to note that the 30-year-old still isn’t immune from errors.
Not responsible
Sherwood spoke about Xhaka’s start to the season, but he also labelled him as an irresponsible player.
“There’s more freedom in his play. Mikel has tweaked his position and has allowed him to get forward. That’s what he’s all about, he’s all about energy, he has a good range of passing, he can burst forward and he can score a goal as well,” Sherwood said.
“Him and Thomas Partey have a great blend in there at the moment, you have Odegaard who plays as a 10.
“He’s taken the responsibility off him of playing as a six. I don’t think he’s responsible, he still makes mistakes, you’ve seen that in the north London derby with the penalty, but if you take that away from him by pushing him higher up the field you’re going to get the best out of him.”
Harsh
Sherwood isn’t wrong about Xhaka. He still has a few kinks in his game that need ironing out, but it is really harsh to focus on that side of his game.
Xhaka has barely put a foot wrong this season, so to focus on the moments where he has is a bit unfair.
We have to feel that if this was any other player, Sherwood wouldn’t be focusing on the negatives after such a brilliant start to the season.
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