'To the place where you have been happy, you should not try to return,' Joaquín Sabina sang in 'City fish'. The same should not have thought of Xherdan Shaqiri (Gjilan, 10-10-1991), that last summer, after 12 years out, He decided to return to the Basel.
After passing through Bayern (2012-15), Inter (2015), Stoke (2015-18), Liverpool (2018-21), Olympique Lyon (2021-22) y Chicago Fire (2022-24), the 33-year-old Swiss international, returned to the team that launched him to fame. In his first stage with the 'FCB' (2009-12), Before leaving transferred for 11.8 million euros he scored 23 goals, He distributed 27 assists and won six titles: three leagues and two glasses.
Now, without Sommer, Xhaka, Stocker, Streller or the Frei (Alex and Fabian), 'Big Shaq' attacks again. The Basel Captain accumulates 17 goals and 21 assists in the 34 parties that has played this course among all competitions.
Only in League has 'produced' 35 points: 15 goals and 20 goal passes. Records that, in Europe, Two players only exceed: 'Mo' Salah (46) y viktor root (45).
More goals produced in the League this season
- Tomoyki Doyi (Gyeng) — 54, 44 goals and 10 assists
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) -> 46, 28 goals and 18 assists
- Viktor Root (Sporting CP) -> 45, 38 Goles Y 7 Asistencias
- Bergson (Johor DT) -> 38, 31 goals and 7 assists
- Kodai Tanaka (Balestier Khals) -> 35, 21 GOles Y 14 Asistent
- Xherdan Shaqiri (Basel) -> 35, 15 goals and 20 assists
- Lennart Thy (LC Sailors) -> 33, 28 goals and 5 assists
- Harry Kane (Bayern) -> 33, 24 goals and 9 assists
- Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) -> 33, 21 GOLES Y 12 ASSISTENCIAS
- AKRAM AFIF (AL SADD) -> 33, 18 goals and 15 assists
Incredible as it may seem, Shaqiri He leads, at the same time, the 'Pichichi' (15 goals) and the maximum assistant table (20). Has beaten, in fact, The historical record of goal passes In the same season in the Swiss League.
It is also the second player who More centers performs (187), the fifth that More faults receives (51) And the seventh who more shoot at goal (28).
“It will be Shaqiri, of course. He is the one who will win, there will be no suspense. It has, by far, the best statistics, And although I am the first to say that they do not do everything, we must recognize that, at this level, they speak for themselves, “he says Timothe Cognat (Servette)one of his great rivals for the award of 'Player of the year ' In Switzerland.
Shaqiri will win the 'Player of the Year' award, no doubt. It has, by far, the best statistics
“It's all a matter of mentality. We are on the right track to achieve double”says Shaqiri, who has changed criticism for his age and his (theoretical) overweight for praise. In fact, there are those who even ask their return to the Swiss team.
And is that their numbers They approach Basel to their first league title since … 2017. The team that directs Fabio Celestini He is a leader with nine points of advantage over the Servette … and only 12 for playing. He will also play the Cup final against FC Biel-Bienne, A victim, a priori, propitiatory: competes in the third division of Swiss football. 'Big Shaq' is back. Basel, what fortune yours.
