Xherdan Shaqiri relishing Premier League test with Stoke City

Stoke City forward Xherdan Shaqiri is relishing the challenge of playing in the Premier League and reckons he is well suited to the English game.

The Potters smashed their club transfer record in August to bring the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan attacker to the Britannia Stadium in one of the biggest deals of the summer window.

Having plied his trade in the Bundesliga and Serie A earlier in his career, the Swiss international is now embracing the different demands of top-flight football in England and, despite impressing early on at Stoke, has vowed the best is yet to come.

Speaking ahead of Stoke's trip to Swansea on Monday Night Football, he told Sky Sports News HQ: "Since I have come here, since the first game, I have loved the football and I enjoy it a lot on the weekends.

"I am like a player who likes to go one against one, so the Premier League is perfect for me.

"The Premier League is more about power, speed and the players are tough. Italy is more tactical, while in Germany teams are more disciplined.

"English football is a little different to me but it is the best football in the world.

"Of course, I need some time to evolve in the team and understand all the players on the pitch but I am getting better.

"I am really involved with the team, the team have helped me a lot and the club is fantastic. The people that work here are very good, we are like a family and I like this. I am really happy to be here."

“I am like a player who likes to go one against one, so the Premier League is perfect for me. The Premier League is more about power, speed and the players are tough. It is a little different to me but it is the best football in the world.”

Stoke head to South Wales on the back of three consecutive victories in league and cup competitions before the international break, an international break during which Shaqiri's Switzerland side sealed their place at Euro 2016.

Former Wales manager Mark Hughes also had reason to be cheerful in what proved to be a fruitful break for a number of the Stoke squad as qualification for next summer's championship came to a conclusion.

And now Shaqiri, who was an injury concern for Stoke having come off in Switzerland's victory over Estonia, is hopeful the positive mood both on and off the pitch will continue.

Asked whether he would be fit to feature at the Liberty Stadium, he added: "Yes, I think so. I only had a little problem but it is nothing wrong.

"I want to play this game, it is an important game for us so I want to help my team to win this game. We want to go Swansea and take three points.

"I am happy we qualified or the European Championships in France and I'm also happy to be back at Stoke now to play the other games.

I'm also delighted for Wales because our coach is from Wales and he is delighted that they have made it France next year."

Watch Swansea v Stoke live on Monday Night Football from 7pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.

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