In a stunning turn of events, it looks as though Xherdan Shaqiri will make the move from Inter Milan to English club Stoke City. As recently as a few days ago, it seemed as though Stoke City’s rumored deal for Shaqiri would fall through, with the Swiss international perhaps moving to a German club, or even fellow Premier League side Everton.
However, as of this morning, multiple outlets are reporting that Shaqiri will move to Stoke City for 12 million euros.
Shaqiri joined Inter Milan in January of last year and played in 15 matches, scoring one goal. Before playing in Milan, Shaqiri spent three seasons with Bayern Munich, playing in a total of 52 matches, scoring 11 goals. Shaqiri has also made 46 appearances for the Swiss national team where he has scor 17 goals.
Getting Shaqiri is massive for the Potters. He will join an already strong midfield that includes new signings Marco Van Ginkel and Ibrahim Afellay as well as Spanish playmaker Bojan. Shaqiri has world class speed that will trouble defenses around the Premier League, and the addition of Shaqiri will make an already formidable Stoke midfield even stronger as the Potters look to contend in the upper half of the Premier League.
The signing of Shaqiri is a perfect representation of the philosophy of Stoke manager Mark Hughes. Gone are the days of the Potters slogging their ways to 0-0 draws simply trying to survive another Premier League season. Now, the Potters are becoming an attacking side, while also retaining their physical edge that makes them such a hard side to break down.
There’s no doubt that this new Stoke can compete with the best of the Premier League, and despite last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool, Stoke have their eyes firmly set on the top half of the table, especially with the addition of a playmaker of Shaqiri’s caliber.
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