Image credit: Getty Images
Former England and Manchester City defender Micah Richards has expressed his disappointment at Arsenal’s decision to sell Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen last summer, calling it “a big mistake”.
In a recent appearance on “The Rest is Football” podcast, Richards revealed his admiration for the Swiss midfielder, saying: “I was absolutely devastated when Xhaka left Arsenal. He was very good and important for the team.”
Richards, who began his senior career with Manchester City and made 245 appearances in all competitions in ten seasons, winning a Premier League title and an FA Cup, knows a thing or two about quality players.
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After a season on loan at Italian Serie A side Fiorentina, he signed for Aston Villa in 2015, where he played 31 times until October 2016, before knee injuries limited his appearances. He finally retired in July 2019 and has since become a respected soccer expert.
As someone who has experienced the ups and downs of professional football, Richards praised Xhaka’s quality: “He was a top-class player and his vision and passing range was exceptional. Yes, he made mistakes, but his overall value to the team was immense.”
Granit Xhaka, former Arsenal midfielder (Image credit: Getty Images)
Since arriving at Bayer Leverkusen, Xhaka has been instrumental in the team’s success, making 33 appearances and scoring three goals. His impressive performances helped the team win the German Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season, and he also won the DFB-Pokal with Leverkusen in the same season.
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“I think Arsenal missed him last season,” Richards said. “He was a key player and his absence was felt. He has proven his worth at Bayer Leverkusen and his performances have been exceptional.”
The former Manchester City defender also highlighted the importance of retaining key players and the impact of their departure on a team’s performance. Arsenal’s failure to secure a Premier League title last season may have been influenced by Xhaka’s absence, and Richards’ comments will likely resonate with fans mourning the midfielder’s departure.
“Retaining key players is crucial to the success of any team,” Richards said. “You can’t just let quality players like Xhaka go and expect to replace them easily. He was a vital piece in Arsenal’s midfield and his absence was felt last season.”
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