Switzerland Boss Praises Granit Xhaka for Game-Changing World Cup Performance After Earlier 'Toxic' Criticism

GRANIT XHAKA is no stranger to controversy, which is probably why he always seems to shake it off with ease.

The 33-year-old silenced critics once again on Thursday night when he put in a captain’s performance as

Granit Xhaka silenced his critics with his performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina Credit: Reuters Xhaka celebrated his penalty by making a chatter gesture Credit: Getty

Xhaka faced a slew of criticism in the buildup to the game, branded as “toxic” by Swiss media after they drew 1-1 with Qatar in their Group B opener last week.

It has been suggested that members of the Swiss squad were unhappy with Xhaka’s criticism of their performance in that game, resulting in a “negative” mood around the camp.

But Thursday night’s hammering of proved that Xhaka’s firm words and winning mentality are exactly why he has become one of the best midfielders in Europe.

The Sunderland ace made a point of dismissing talk about his influence on the squad when he .

And it wasn’t just his goal from the spot that caught the eye.

Xhaka led the game for passes (106), key passes (2) and line-breaking passes (36) as he dictated the midfield.

Premier League fans have grown used to Xhaka’s influence on the game, given he was one of the signings of the summer following his £17m move from to Sunderland.

While Swiss supporters know all too well how important Xhaka can be, with the former man in line to make his 150th cap for the country this summer.

boss Murat Yakin backed his captain after the game, too.

Yakin said: “He is very important, a leader on the pitch, very decisive in many attacking situations. That’s what he’s like, that’s Granit.

“We focused on the pitch. I told him we needed him on the pitch and please don’t use your energy elsewhere. He is a captain important to me, we talk on a regular basis.

“It was important to talk about what happened in the media. He was attacked. I talked to him for 10 minutes.

“He started to refocus on training. Yesterday you could see how happy he was, how focused he was.”

Still, though, Xhaka is continuously used as a scapegoat when things seem to go wrong.

Even after his performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina,

For many, Xhaka’s seven-year stint at Arsenal is only remembered for one controversial moment.

Xhaka was booed off the pitch as he took his shirt off during Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace in 2019 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The then 27-year-old threw his shirt on the ground as boos rang around the Emirates Stadium following his substitution against in 2019.

The midfield hardman , labelling the abuse he received from Arsenal fans as “pure hate.”

But it was his fighting spirit, and the arrival of , that brought him back into the fold saw him win back the fans’ affection and become one of Arsenal’s most important players.

His own high standards and mental strength saw him lift the the following year with the Gunners, before leaving to become an unbeaten double winner in Germany with Leverkusen.

On his return to the Emirates with Sunderland this season, Xhaka was given a hero’s welcome.

Xhaka’s harsh words about his Switzerland teammates after their Qatar draw may have been too far for some, but the reaction in the Swiss performance is proof enough that the veteran star knows what he is talking about.

If Switzerland want to pull off a shock and go deep in this summer’s World Cup, having not got to the quarter-finals since they hosted the tournament in 1954, then they ought to listen to the man in their squad that knows a thing or two about winning.