Inter signed Xherdan Shaqiri in the January transfer window and here are five reasons I believe he is going to be a great asset for our club:
1. A clear and strong signal to the fans and the opponents.
Inter is back and you can count with the team and the club. After years of signing mediocre players from mediocre clubs, here is a truely skilled player that we signed against tough competition. Some fans had gone so far that they had started doubting Thohir’s credibility and will to spend money. The president answered with getting Shaqiri. Shaqiri has brought enthusiasm to the fans but not only. Signing the player before the eyes of clubs like Juventus and Liverpool makes it clear that Inter is on the right path of becoming a top club again.
2. Giving the coach, the players the coach wants.
Gasperini wanted Palacio and ended up with Zarate. Benitez wanted Mascherano and ended up with Biabiany. Stramaccioni wanted Lavezzi and ended up with Schelotto. Mancini wanted Shaqiri and got Shaqiri. Many times this week Shaqiri has claimed that Mancini was one of the most important reasons that he chose to join Inter. Mancini has obtained success with both Inter and Manchester City previously and listening to his demands is the right way to go if the club wants to return to winning. The players, the coach and the board needs to go in the same direction. And this will also make them be joined by the fans. Signing Shaqiri proves that Inter wants to make their players, their fans and their coach happy.
3. Set piece-threat.
Even though Inter has improved their corners since Mancini came to the club, there has been a lot of different players who have been taking care of the corners and the freekicks. With Shaqiri, for the first time since Sneijder left the club, Inter has a player that can take care of all set pieces from all offensive positions on the field. This will prove to be of great advantage and as you’ve seen, Shaqiri has a pretty good left foot.
4. 1 vs 1 advantage.
Modern football is about beating your man. Kovacic is the only player that has been doing it with continuity. More than that, at Inter, one of few players that has been able to do so is.. when you think about it.. Guarin. With his speed and his power the Colombian has been able to pass opponents which has created space for his teammates. Sometimes Hernanes will be able to beat his man as well, but his injury problems has kept him from performing with continuity, which also goes for Guarin. In Shaqiri Inter gets a player that can beat his man, be a constant threat and draw a lot of attention from the opponents which will create space for his teammates. Crucial.
5. Versability.
More than beating your man, modern football also needs versatile players with more than one quality. When asked what his prefered role was, Shaqiri said that he can play in all attacking positions but prefers the #10 role behind the striker. This means Roberto Mancini has found a player that can fit in at least 3/4 attacking positions on the field. Together with Hernanes, Guarin, Podolski and Kovacic who are also versatile, this could cause major confusion for our opponents.
What do you think Shaqiri will give Inter that the club hasn’t already had? Disqus below and follow @siavoushf on Twitter.
