Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is ‘TOXIC’, team-mates fear: Reports claim players are sick of Premier League star and his comments at the World Cup after they drew against Qatar
Granit Xhaka’s teammates have reportedly described him as ‘toxic’ after the Swiss captain was vocal about the side’s struggles during their 1-1 draw with Qatar.
The Sunderland captain, 33, called on Switzerland ‘to act’ after they squandered a lead in the last minute against the Middle Eastern minnows in San Francisco.
Striker Breel Embolo had put the Swiss ahead with a deflected strike in the first-half but, as temperatures soared, Xhaka and Co took their foot off the gas.
Eventually, with just seconds on the clock, Boualem Khoukhi earned Qatar their first-ever World Cup point with a bullet header into the back of the net.
A disgruntled Xhaka said post-match: ‘You can talk. We have to act,’ in a statement which was backed up by his midfield partner Remo Freuler.
‘We have to be critical,’ Freuler fumed. ‘If you expect to win against Qatar and then only manage a 1-1 draw, then we also have to be very hard on ourselves.’
Granit Xhaka’s teammates have reportedly dubbed the Swiss captain ‘toxic’
Xhaka called on his players to ‘act now’ after they slumped to a 1-1 draw against Middle Eastern minnows Qatar
A last gasp goal from Boualem Khoukhi earned the Qataris their first ever World Cup point last Friday
But, according to German newspaper Bild, the message wasn’t received so well by the rest of the Swiss squad.
Ahead of their crucial clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Los Angeles tonight, rumours of infighting among Switzerland’s players has been rife.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Xhaka’s outburst after the World Cup opener has reportedly been dubbed ‘toxic’ by members of the squad.
The newspaper also suggests that Xhaka’s comments left several sources inside the Swiss camp ‘unnerved or uncomfortable’.
The midfielder, however, remained in good spirits on Thursday ahead of this evening’s crunch match on the west coast.
He told reporters: ‘It’s important to enjoy moments like these.
‘If you don’t take your chances up front, they’ll come back to bite you. We have to be clever and experienced enough to see out a game.’
The ex-Arsenal midfielder enjoyed a hugely successful season in the north-east after returning to the Premier League last summer following a stint at Bayer Leverkusen.
As Sunderland’s captain, he led the newly-promoted club to unprecedented heights as they secured a European spot ahead of next season.
Such success led to talk that Xhaka could depart for a bigger club this summer, but the 33-year-old squashed those rumours last month.
He said: ‘Throughout my career, I’ve always made all my decisions based on my gut feeling.
‘The move from Leverkusen to Sunderland wasn’t a snap decision. I had a lot of discussions with the owner, sporting director, and manager before I signed.
‘The city feels like Basel. Like the St. Johann district where I grew up. I’m not even thinking about a transfer. I’m really happy to finally have a summer without any speculation about my future.’
But before he returns to Black Cats duty, Xhaka and Switzerland’s chances of reaching the World Cup knockout stages remain alive and kicking despite the disappointment of the Qatar result.
Head coach Murat Yakin’s side sit top of Group B after Bosnia held hosts Canada to a 1-1 draw in Toronto last Friday.
Jovo Lukic scored the opener for Bosnia, who still boast 40-year-old Edin Dzeko in their ranks, before Cyle Larin struck back for the Canadians after the interval.
The other game in Group B tonight will see Canada host Qatar in Vancouver.
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