Granit Xhaka has broken silence on his future as rumours continue to swirl around a possible summer move to Chelsea for the Sunderland and Switzerland midfielder
Granit Xhaka
Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has broken silence on his future(Image: Gareth Copley)
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Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has offered an update on his future amid rumours circulating around a potential move to Chelsea.
The 33-year-old, who is currently with Switzerland at the World Cup, has been linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge following Xabi Alonso's appointment this summer.
Last week, Sunderland rejected an opening £8million bid from Chelsea for Xhaka and insist he is not for sale. According to our sister title football.london, the Blues are preparing for lodge a new and improved offer for the ex-Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, believed to be worth £10m plus add-ons.
Now, Xhaka has spoken out about his future following Switzerland's 2-0 win against Algeria. When asked about a possible summer move to Chelsea, Xhaka told Blick: "That's not my job.
"I have my management for that. I want to concentrate fully on the World Cup."
As part of helping the Swiss reach the Round of 16 at the World Cup, Xhaka made his 150th cap for his nation. Reacting to that achievement, he said: "The team cheered me on beforehand, and I told them they would make the day special if we advanced. 150 games for the country where I was born and raised. Being able to wear the red jersey makes you proud. It's all the more wonderful that we played well and progressed."
Granit Xhaka looks on
Granit Xhaka has been linked with Chelsea(Image: Jared C. Tilton - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
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Switzerland were well deserved winners against Algeria in Canada, with Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye finding the net either side of half-time, booking a tie against either Colombia or Ghana in the process.
Reflecting on the match against Algeria, Xhaka said: "At the beginning, we were almost over-motivated; we needed that goal to help us. At halftime, we had to address things that weren't good – too many long balls, we couldn't hold onto the ball, and we weren't playing the game that makes us strong.
"The second half was then more controlled. We're all old enough to be honest with each other. Even though we were leading 1-0, our game wasn't perfect.
"We addressed it, changed things, and consequently played a good second half."
Sunderland, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, are yet to make a first-team signing so far this summer. However, a number of players have already left the club.
Dan Neil departed at the end of his contract earlier this week and has since moved to Rangers, while Nazariy Rusyn, Dennis Cirkin and Bertrand Traore are among the others to have departed for free.
Elsewhere, Eliezer Mayenda is closing in on a move to Rennes after the Ligue 1 club and Sunderland agreed on a £22m deal for the winger. He has been given permission to travel to France for a medical.