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Mercato Madness: Borussia Mönchengladbach's Swiss Midfielder Granit Xhaka Snubs Napoli Move

Showing an ignorance as to the changing situations at other clubs, Swiss international Granit Xhaka has dismissed the idea of moving to Napoli as he thinks he wouldn't get enough playing time.

Elsa

With Napoli in search of better depth and quality across the squad, they've apparently started looking at Swiss international Granit Xhaka as an option to improve their midfield and provide a potential proper backup to Marek Hamsik.

The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder is a sensible option; as Gladbach missed out on Champions League qualification, he could be looking for a new challenge, and he'd have the chance to work with his international squad's captain, Gökhan Inler, on a more regular basis. Napoli also play in a style well-suited to Xhaka's skillset, with the 21 year old's deft passes and quality long shot meshes well with the players who would surround him at the San Paolo.

Apparently Xhaka sees things differently, however, as his response to an inquiry about the rumor was to say that Napoli would be "a step back" for him, as "there are already two of my countrymen, Inler and Behrami, playing in my own position and I need to play regularly."

Apparently Blerim Džemaili is chopped liver, and Xhaka hasn't heard that he and Valon Behrami are both expected to leave Naples this summer. Xhaka also ignores that Napoli's manager Rafa Benitez rotates regularly when the quality of depth is available (as Xhaka would give), and believes that if you play well, you play more.

If Xhaka doesn't want to join Napoli, that's his own deal. It's unfortunate for those of us that are fans of him, but there are other fish in the sea and it's better to have players who actually want to be there. It would just be nice if the reasons given had any bearing on reality.