FORMER Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is shining in a new role at Bayer Leverkusen.
And he’s top of the pile in Europe for one key midfield star.
Xhaka, 31, was snapped up by Leverkusen over the summer after being targeted by boss Xabi Alonso.
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich superstar has since shown he’s as good in the dugout as he was on the pitch.
Leverkusen are top of the Bundesliga table after winning 10 of their 11 matches this season.
And former Arsenal skipper Xhaka has shined in a new role thanks to Alonso’s 3-4-3 formation.
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An extra centre-back has given the Swiss ace more freedom to roam forward as a supporting midfielder.
Surprisingly, he is yet to score or assist for Leverkusen.
But Xhaka has instead transformed into the man playing the key pass before an assist, creating 12 chances in total.
And as a result, he leads the way in Europe’s top seven leagues for most passes into the final third with 129.
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Xhaka also makes nearly 100 passes each game — with a stunning accuracy of over 93 per cent.
His attacking teammates have certainly benefitted from his technical ability.
Striker Victor Boniface has 11 goals and six assists this season.
Attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz is on six goals and 10 assists.
And versatile wide-man Jonas Hofmann has seven goals and six assists.
Even Leverkusen’s wing-backs are thriving thanks to Xhaka’s influence.
Right-sider Jeremie Frimpong has five goals and seven assists so far.
While left-back Alejandro Grimaldo is on eight goals and six assists.
And as long as Xhaka stays fit, perennial champions Bayern Munich could finally find themselves displaced at the Bundesliga summit come the end of the season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
