By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Throughout his career, the Swiss midfielder has consistently been a reliable force on the football field, always involved in the action yet seldom recognized as a star in sports newspapers and celebrity magazines.
Upon joining Leverkusen in the summer of 2023, the Swiss captain, with 121 international caps, might have been perceived as the most underrated addition to his new club, overshadowed by discussions of technical geniuses or coach Xabi Alonso.
Entering what many considered the autumn of his career, the move to Leverkusen, near his wife's hometown, seemed to mark a return home for the Swiss midfielder.
From the outset, Alonso appeared to have a different perspective on his team. It has become clear that signing Xhaka was a pivotal decision in elevating Leverkusen to a new level.
Alonso reportedly reacted with enthusiasm when Simon Rolfes, the sporting director, confirmed the successful negotiation of Xhaka's transfer.
Quietly, the two-time Champions League winner identified in Xhaka a player who mirrors Alonso's own playing style, essentially discovering an Alonso 2.0—a midfielder adept at subtly directing the team's play. The statistics underscore Alonso's astute judgment.
Xhaka's precision in passing, with a 91.9 percent accuracy rate, was highlighted in Leverkusen's 3-0 victory over a struggling Bayern Munich. Yet, Xhaka's influence extends beyond his passing accuracy; he leads the German league in executing passes that significantly open up the game.
With nearly 300 of his passes creating substantial space this season, Xhaka outpaces the next best in the league by a considerable margin.
Despite not being known for scoring, with only six goals in 129 Bundesliga matches and 14 in 121 international appearances, Xhaka's contributions are invaluable.
As Leverkusen eyes its first national league title, holding a five-point lead over Bayern Munich, some fans may recall Xhaka's tenure at Arsenal, where he was influenced by French coach Arsene Wenger's philosophy.
"I don't look for leaders," Wenger stated. "But I look for good passers." The Swiss learned his lesson and took the experience to Leverkusen.
Being well-educated, the new arrival as much as the entire squad learned to love defending on the entire pitch. Alonso, Wenger, and in the end, Xhaka have concluded the team dominating the center is ruling the game.
Against Bayern, the underestimated midfielder showed his irreplaceable value. Xhaka, Alonso, and Leverkusen have taken a significant step towards some silverware despite there are 13 league games to go.
Two-time Swiss Champion Xhaka might know exactly what is missing to kick the can down the road. Precise passing makes the football world turn. ■
