Interview

'Partey will bring quality, mentality and balance'

Granit Xhaka is still waiting to make his first appearance alongside Thomas Partey, but has already seen enough to know he will be a major asset.

The Swiss international has been tracking his new team-mate for a long time, and feels he will add some vital ingredients to our squad.

"He will be the guy who is important for me and as well for the team. Everyone in the club can be happy because he has great quality," Xhaka said. 

"He will bring a good mentality, a good balance in our game because this is what we need a bit more: the mentality to win. 

"He played at Atletico Madrid, a different type of football, and he will bring a lot of good quality and mentality."

After a difficult time at the club last year, Xhaka has turned things around and says the secret to his success is giving his all every day.

"I am a guy who has worked very hard, maybe nobody sees that - or less people - but the first day I came here and signed my contract, I was the happiest man in the world because I knew what it means to play for this club," he said. 

"I knew what the people want: it’s hard work. I think I am the right person and I want to give much more than I already give for this club.

"This is not show [to be a team leader], this is me. I don’t like the show. The leader, the stuff I am saying to you is coming from my heart, it’s not coming to show the people that, ‘He’s doing this because he has to’. No, this is in me inside and I try to help everyone."