Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri: I am happy at Basel but I do not know what will happen in the future

Posted Saturday, October 08, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Switzerland international midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri insists that he is happy with Basel and wants to win the Swiss Super League this season.

The 19-year-old is one of the most highly-prized young players in Europe and came to the fore last month when he scored a hat-trick against Bulgaria in Switzerland’s 3-1 home win in a Euro 2012 Group G qualifier.

Recent reports have suggested that he could be lured away from Basel, with clubs such as Roma and Fiorentina allegedly interested, but Shaqiri says that he wants to continue with the Swiss champions for now.

“I don’t know,” he told Goal.com when asked about whether he would be interested in joining a bigger club in Europe. “I am with Basel, want to win the championship with them and am playing in the Champions League with Basel.

“I do not know what will happen later in the future but I am with Basel now and it is good for me.”

Shaqiri also underlined his determination to reach the knock-out stage of the Champions League this season.

Thorsten Fink’s side is currently in pole position in Group C with four points from two matches, level with Benfica and two ahead of third-placed Manchester United.

“We are at the top of the group that has Manchester United in it, and we want to progress to the next round,” the teenager remarked.

Shaqiri was speaking after Switzerland’s 2-0 defeat to Wales at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday evening.

The loss saw Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side get knocked out of the running for a playoff place, as Montenegro held England to a 2-2 draw at home to secure the runners-up berth in the group.

“No, I am not happy with our performance as we lost,” Shaqiri lamented. ”The red card [for Reto Ziegler in the second half] changed the game. After the red card we could not play much football and we lost.

“Montenegro drew 2-2 with England and we are out. We are out of contention of a place in the playoffs and the game against Montenegro [on Tuesday] is not important at all.”