Xherdan Shaqiri was not 'in the best shape' when he signed for Lyon and was a tactical misfit, the Ligue 1 side manager Peter Bosz admitted just days after the former Liverpool players completed his switch to the MLS.
The Switzerland international signed for the Chicago Fire on Tuesday, just six months after joining Lyon from Liverpool in a £9.5 million deal.
Shaqiri's spell in Ligue 1 was far from successful, with the 30-year-old leaving Lyon after registering just two goals and three assists in 16 games in all competitions.
Speaking to French outlet Foot Mercato on Friday, Bosz admitted Shaqiri was 'not in the best shape at the start' of his spell with Lyon and struggled to cement a starting spot.
'We used Shaq on the right-wing at the beginning,' he said.
'As we weren’t so dominant, he played in wide-open spaces and had to attack as well as defend, and I don’t think he can do that.
'He’s really a number 10 who has to play between the lines, you could even say that he was the best player between the lines for us, with his superb technique and vision in small spaces
'But there are a lot of players in that position here, Houssem Aouar, Lucas Paquetá, Romain Faivre now.'
A two-time Champions League winner, Shaqiri spent six seasons in the Premier League with Stoke and Liverpool scoring 22 goals in 129 appearances.
The terms of the deal between Lyon and Chicago Fire were not disclosed, but French daily L'Equipe estimated the MLS club outfit forked out approximately £6million for the Swiss.
'We're extremely pleased to formally welcome Xherdan Shaqiri to the Fire,' Chicago's Sporting Director Georg Heitz said in a statement on the club's website.
'Xherdan is a game-changing player and someone who will bring joy to our supporters and the city of Chicago.
As one of the most accomplished Swiss athletes of his generation, Xherdan joins us at a very important time for the club and fully believes in what we are aiming to accomplish.
'We look forward to welcoming him and his family to Chicago very soon.'
Azmatvffvc
0
Ohh really but what about his assist and goal against marseille.
mewckmnu
0
check
mewckmnu
0
if you think Shaqiri not fit you want to buy Shaqiri you are talking nonsense
totally agree
hekabilmpt
1
if you think Shaqiri not fit you want to buy Shaqiri you are talking nonsense
hiudmstuz
0
He wasn't fit enough cause he was walking alone
vishvajeet_singh
4
He was excellent. One of the most underrated players.
Rodaekpz
5
for me He is one of the underrated player😔
Badhur
4
I love you big shaq Ynwa
ElBorracho
5
Always amazed at coaches who bring in players like Shaqiri and then claim they were not a good fit. Shaqiri has been around forever now, and Lyon knew he had played limited minutes with Liverpool. They knew exactly what they were getting!!!
LIVERPOOLIAN_INTER
6
After travelling to many clubs with number 22 or 23 on he’s back he finally gets the sweet number 10 for the Chicago Fire. All the best Shaq #XS23
cemabpruyz
2
Probably because he had hardly played for months