Bayern Munich legend Stefan Effenberg has heavily criticised Xherdan Shaqiri for joining Stoke City.
The former Bayern Munich winger was initially reluctant to move to the Britannia Stadium, but after several weeks of hectic discussions he agreed to switch to Stoke from Inter earlier this week.
Schalke were also keen to take him back to the Bundesliga this summer, but failed to match the Potters’ financial offer for Shaqiri.
Former Germany international Effenberg is livid with Shaqiri for rejecting Schalke and feels a move back to Germany would have made more sense for his career.
While Stoke are thought to have offered more money than Schalke, the former Bayern Munich star feels the Swiss international should have jumped at the idea of returning to Germany rather than moving to England this summer.
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"I do not understand the transfer", Effenberg told Swiss daily Blick.
"You have to ask yourself where you can reach your sporting goals as a footballer. That should be the challenge. Schalke would have been perfect for Shaqiri.
"Earning €1m more or less should be irrelevant. When you can make €6m at Stoke or €3m at Schalke, you pick the latter.
“You play Bundesliga football in a great stadium, get your desired return to Germany and play for a great club that you can help move forward.”
Effenberg feels Shaqiri has been badly advised and indicated that the former Inter man gave more consideration to the pay cheque, rather than the opportunity of playing for one of the big clubs in Germany.
"But Stoke City? Come on, I cannot understand the player, his agent, his parents or his brother. This is a shame and a sad state of affairs.
“Only because they are throwing around cash? Is it really all about money for footballers these days?"
Shaqiri could make his debut for Stoke against Tottenham at White Hart Lane this Saturday.
