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#1. Xherdan Shaqiri (Liverpool)
Xherdan Shaqiri has enjoyed quite a career since his breakthrough at FC Basel. The Swiss’ precocious talent led to him being touted for greatness from a young age. After dazzling in his native land, he moved to Germany in 2012 to play for Bayern Munich.
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At Munich, Shaqiri was always on the fringes, playing second fiddle to the legendary pair of Robben and Ribery. His career never took off and he didn’t fare any better after a move to Inter Milan in 2015.
The journeyman next travelled to England and turned out for Stoke City. Despite spending three seasons at Stoke, the Swiss never really realised his potential. Though there was the odd game where he displayed his immense talent, he wasn’t nearly as consistent. In May 2018, he reached the nadir of his career as he went down to the Championship with his club.
With the prospect of playing in the Championship looming large, Shaqiri’s career had hit a roadblock. Then, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool came calling.
Though initially looked upon as a back-up, the Swiss, through sheer weight of performance, has put himself on the radar for a starting berth. Additionally, he has found the spark that had seemed to elude him since his Basel days.
Moreover, the move to Merseyside has helped him develop as a player. His development was on display when Switzerland swept past Belgium to enter the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League.
Shaqiri’s career was in doldrums at the start of the summer. If Klopp hadn’t shown faith in the Swiss, he could well have been plying his trade in England’s second tier. While the manager’s vision is commendable, the player also deserves credit for grabbing his chance with both hands.
Once dubbed the ‘Alpine Messi’, Shaqiri might finally unlock his vast potential at Liverpool. His summer move is the perfect example of a player resurrecting his career in newer surroundings.
Hence, he takes the top spot on our list.
