Granit Xhaka has had an impressive campaign so far with the Leverkusen team. Xhaka has said that the top form would not count if Leverkusen were not declared champions in the end.
"When the first part of the edition ends, many things are learned. Now the expectations from the fans and from us have increased. But we must keep our feet on the ground, and we must do more than we have done so far. We have to work hard, day and night, to make success a reality. We have to keep the fans close as well. The fans dream the same as us, but we still haven't won anything and if we achieve success in the end, we will celebrate together", said Xhaka in a long interview given to Bayer Leverkusen's official website.
Leverkusen, after 16 games played, is the leader in the German Bundesliga with 42 points. It has four points more than second-placed Bayern Munich, which has played one game less.
Midfielder Xhaka has just returned to work with the German team after the short winter break. And for Xhaka, this vacation was special. He was an Arsenal player in the past seven editions. Consequently, there was no break during the end-of-year holidays, a period that is loaded with matches in England. It was different at the end of last year.
“I was very happy to have winter break for the first time in seven years. But I wanted to go back to the field in two or three days, because I'm used to playing in the winter. I went to London to visit the company I have there and I saw the pace they are at and the adrenaline they have. But I also had a good time with my family and I'm glad to be back. I like winter. I also visited my brother in Basel and had a great time," added the midfielder.
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Xhaka knows that his time off is over and now he has a big job ahead of him. He did not know that the return to Germany would be so successful. The 31-year-old started his career at Basel and was then transferred to Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga.
"I have known Germany and played before. But I'm very glad to be back. Leverkusen is a great club, there are good people here and things are going very well. Of course when you win matches everything becomes easier. It was the perfect step for me, for my family. Now, of course, we are looking at the weeks we have ahead of us", said Xhaka, admitting that the race for the title will not be easy.
In a few days, the African Cup will start. There will be four Leverkusen players who will play with their representatives. But, this will not be a problem, according to Xhaka. He says that whoever plays, gives his best for the shirt.
Xhaka is one of the players with the best statistics in the German Bundesliga. For this he is very happy.
"I am happy here with my teammates, with the club and everyone who works at the club. I feel that I am needed and it was a big factor that I decided to come here. Of course, I try to use the experience I got and give something to the club. I didn't expect things to go so well because I think it takes time to get to know your teammates. But the first six months have been great and I hope better times are coming."
Xhaka has said that the role of midfielder is very difficult as you are always surrounded by teammates and opponents. But, the open and direct conversations with the coach Xabi Alonso has said that they are bearing their fruits.
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Xhaka has not yet scored a goal with Leverkusen, but he hopes to be able to enjoy himself as soon as possible. It is one of the goals he has for 2024.
"I can't wait to see how the championship will end. Then comes the European Championship and it will be special, because we play with Switzerland here in Germany, and even more special is that Germany is in our group", declared Xhaka, who is also completing the training to be equipped with the license of the coach.
