Granit Xhaka has been the subject of transfer talk during the World Cup, with Chelsea and Xabi Alonso interested in signing the Sunderland captain
Former Switzerland assistant coach Giorgio Contini has taken aim at the recent transfer speculation surrounding Granit Xhaka, insisting that all attention should be directed towards their World Cup round of 32 clash with Algeria.
His remarks follow Sunderland’s rejection of an £8m offer from Xabi Alonso and Chelsea for their club captain, with the Black Cats firmly stating that the influential midfielder is not available for transfer.
Sunderland were left affronted by the paltry size of the bid, while Chelsea remain reluctant to increase their offer for the 33-year-old on account of his age.
Rumours persist that Chelsea will come back to the table, although Sunderland have made abundantly clear that any further approaches will be flatly dismissed.
Contini, who contributes to Blick and was speaking on their podcast, FORZA! voiced his displeasure at the ill-timed transfer chatter.
The former assistant coach said: “What bothers me is that these things are happening during the World Cup.
“Granit is very focused and can block that out, but we should be talking about the upcoming opponent, Algeria, not Chelsea.
“I’m not interested in what Granit does after the World Cup right now.”
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Nevertheless, Contini concedes he can see why Xhaka would be an attractive proposition. He added: “Chelsea aren’t just any club.
“And if I were Xabi Alonso and had the opportunity to sign Granit Xhaka, I would do it.”
Xhaka has found himself embroiled in controversy back in his homeland following Switzerland’s 1-1 stalemate with Qatar in their World Cup group stage opener.
Blick reported that tensions in the Swiss changing room had become toxic due to the Sunderland midfielder’s conduct, following harsh criticism of the squad.
Nevertheless, when questioned about his future in an interview with the same publication, Xhaka made it abundantly clear that his sole concentration was on the World Cup.
He told Blick : “For me, the most important thing is that my family is happy. And we are in Sunderland. I’m not even thinking about a transfer.
“I’m really happy to finally have a summer without any speculation about my future. That’s rarely been the case in recent years. This allows me to fully focus on the World Cup.”
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