Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has shared his reasons for leaving the London club to join German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. Xhaka's transfer to Leverkusen during the summer transfer window raised eyebrows, but he has quickly become an influential figure at his new club.
In a recent interview, Xhaka explained that his decision to move to Leverkusen was motivated by his desire to contribute to young teams and seek a new challenge. He emphasized that he arrived at Leverkusen as an experienced player and sees part of his role as helping younger players develop.
Contrary to speculations, Xhaka clarified that his move was not influenced by personal factors, such as his wife's location. Instead, he chose Leverkusen because the club presented an exciting opportunity with clear plans and ambitions.
Reflecting on the differences between playing for Arsenal and Leverkusen, Xhaka noted the calm and focused environment at Bayer Leverkusen. He pointed out that some other clubs face more scrutiny and pressure, making Leverkusen an advantageous place to thrive.
Xhaka also praised head coach Xabi Alonso, describing him as "extremely unpleasant" to play against due to his football intelligence and precision. Working with Alonso has allowed Xhaka to elevate his midfield skills, and he feels he has made significant progress during his time at Leverkusen.
Currently, Leverkusen leads the Bundesliga table after six matchdays, and the club has aspirations for a historic season where they hope to challenge regular champions Bayern Munich for the title.
