Examine individual changes

'{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Taulant Xhaka | image = t.xhaka34.jpg | caption = Xhaka playing for [[FC Basel|Basel]] in 2016 | fullname = Taulant Ragip Xhaka | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|3|28|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]] | height = 1.74 m | position = [[Midfielder#Defensive midfielder|Defensive midfielder]] / [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|Right back]] | currentclub = [[FC Basel|Basel]] | clubnumber = 34 | youthyears1 = 2000–2002 | youthclubs1 = [[FC Concordia Basel|Concordia Basel]] | youthyears2 = 2002–2009 | youthclubs2 = [[FC Basel|Basel]] | years1 = 2008–2010 | clubs1 = [[FC Basel#Reserve team (under-21 )|Basel U21]] | caps1 = 50 | goals1 = 6 | years2 = 2010– | clubs2 = [[FC Basel|Basel]] | caps2 = 128 | goals2 = 4 | years3 = 2012–2013 | clubs3 = → [[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshopper]] (loan) | caps3 = 38 | goals3 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam1 = [[Switzerland national under-17 football team|Switzerland U17]] | nationalcaps1 = 14 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2009–2010 | nationalteam2 = [[Switzerland national under-18 football team|Switzerland U18]] | nationalcaps2 = 6 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2009–2010 | nationalteam3 = [[Switzerland national under-19 football team|Switzerland U19]] | nationalcaps3 = 9 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2010–2011 | nationalteam4 = [[Switzerland national under-20 football team|Switzerland U20]] | nationalcaps4 = 8 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2011–2013 | nationalteam5 = [[Switzerland national under-21 football team|Switzerland U21]] | nationalcaps5 = 4 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | nationalyears6 = 2014– | nationalteam6 = [[Albania national football team|Albania]] | nationalcaps6 = 20 | nationalgoals6 = 0 | medaltemplates = | club-update = 18 November 2017 | nationalteam-update = 13 November 2017 }} '''Taulant Ragip Xhaka''' (born 28 March 1991) is an Albanian professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[Midfielder#Defensive midfielder|defensive midfielder]] for Swiss club [[FC Basel|Basel]] and the [[Albania national football team|Albania national team]]. He used to play as a [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|Right back]] since the beginning of his career but lately was switched to his current position defensive midfielder which he played at Albania national team since his debut in 2014 and since the start of the 2016–17 season with Basel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albania - T. Xhaka - Profile with news, career statistics and history|url=http://int.soccerway.com/players/taulant-xhaka/134236/matches/|website=int.soccerway.com|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whoscored.com/Players/90243/Show/Taulant-Xhaka|website=www.whoscored.com|title=Taulant Xhaka Football Statistics|accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref> ==Early life== Taulant is the elder brother of [[Granit Xhaka]], who is also a professional footballer and plays for [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and the [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland national team]]. Their family moved from [[Prishtina]] to [[Basel]] in Switzerland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcb.ch/sport/show/playerDetailByID/-/30167/72/9/36/de-de/-/25328|quote=Geburtsort:Basel|title=Taulant Xhaka}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/2011/11/16/xhaka-zgjodha-pa-hezitim-zvicren-shqiptaret-me-thone-tradhtar/|title=Xhaka: Zgjodha pa hezitim Zvicrën, shqiptarët më thonë tradhtar!|quote=Granit, familja juaj vjen nga Kosova, po ju ku keni lindur? Në Zvicër, në Bazel kam lindur. Ashtu si Taulanti, vëllai im. Disa burime informacioni, duke përfshirë këtu edhe "Ëikipedia", kanë njoftuar se kam lindur në Kosovë, por kjo nuk është e vërtetë}}</ref> before either was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.20min.ch/sport/fussball/story/14450158|title=Albanien hat schon telefoniert|quote=Bei Granits Mutter beisst der albanische Fussballverband denn auch auf Granit: «Unsere Kinder sind hier geboren worden und zur Schule gegangen. Sie gehören in die Schweiz.»}}</ref> Xhaka orginates from an Albanian family in [[Kuršumlija]], [[Serbia]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GasLorVV6qE|title=Nga Nishi deri tek Molla e Kuqe|quote= Granit Xhaka und Taulant Xhaka kommen ursprünglich vom Dorf Dzake in Serbie. Dzake befindet sich in der Nähe von Kuršumlija in Serbien. Das wir in dieser Doku ausführlich erwähnt.»}}</ref> ==Club career== Xhaka started his youth football at [[FC Concordia Basel]] and moved to [[FC Basel]] in 2002. He played for various FC Basel youth teams and from 2008 became a regular member of the under-21 team for two years in the [[Swiss 1. Liga (football)|Swiss 1. Liga]]. At the beginning of the [[2010–11 Swiss Super League|2010–11 season]], he and his brother Granit moved up into the first team squad where he begun playing as a [[Defender (association football)|defender]]. He made his first team debut on 19 September 2010 in the 5–0 [[Swiss Cup]] win against [[FC Mendrisio-Stabio]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/Saison/Saisonspiel?m=2076|title=Der FCB gewinnt im Schweizer Cup mit 5:0 (2:0) gegen Mendrisio|publisher=FC Basel 1893|language=German|author=Urs Dünner|date=19 September 2010|accessdate=19 September 2010}}</ref> He made his Super League debut on 27 February 2011 in the 1–0 away win against [[FC Luzern|Luzern]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcb.ch/sport/show/matchReport/-/2092|title=Wichtiger 1:0-Arbeitssieg für den FCB|publisher=FC Basel 1893|language=German|author=Remo Meister|date=27 February 2011|accessdate=27 February 2011}}</ref> At the end of the season, the team won the Super League title, Xhaka's first silverware with the club. In the next season, Xhaka scored his first Basel goal on 10 September during the 4–0 away league win against [[Servette FC|Servette]], where he came on as a substitute.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/09/10/switzerland/super-league/servette-fc-geneve/fc-basel/1116664/|title=Servette vs. Basel 0 – 4|publisher=Soccerway|date=10 September 2011|accessdate=10 September 2011}}</ref> On 27 September, he made his [[UEFA Champions League]] debut as a substitute in the 3–3 away draw against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] at [[Old Trafford]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/matches/round=2000263/match=2007589/postmatch/report/index.html|title=United strike late to deny Basel famous win|publisher=UEFA.com|author=Simon Hart|date=27 September 2011|accessdate=27 September 2011}}</ref> On 18 January 2012, it was announced Xhaka was sent on loan to [[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshoppers]] to gain first-team playing experience.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kosovain.eu/sq/Sport/10572|title=Zyrtare: Taulant Xhaka kalon te Grasshoppers|publisher=Kosova in EU|language=Albanian|date=18 January 2012|accessdate=18 January 2012}}</ref> He made his Grasshoppers debut on 12 February during the 2–0 away defeat to [[FC Zürich|Zürich]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/09/10/switzerland/super-league/servette-fc-geneve/fc-basel/1116664/|title=Zürich vs. Grasshoppers 2 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=12 February 2012|accessdate=12 February 2012}}</ref> and until the end of the season he established himself in the starting lineup, making 13 appearances during the second part of 2011–12 season. After spending the 2012–13 again on loan at Grasshoppers, Basel recalled him into their squad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/-/10045/30621|title=Vieles ist klar – vielleicht|publisher=FC Basel 1893|language=German|author=Basler Zeitung|date=3 June 2013|accessdate=3 June 2013}}</ref> During the [[2013–14 Swiss Super League|2013–14 season]], Xhaka established himself in the starting lineup, making 23 league appearances and scoring two goals ''en route'' to winning his second league championship with Basel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/Saison/Saisonspiel?m=2816|title=Fotos vom Spiel gegen Lausanne sowie den anschliessenden Feierlichkeiten|publisher=FC Basel 1893|language=German|author=Sacha Grossenbacher|date=18 May 2014|accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref> He also made four cup appearances as the team reached in the final but was beaten 2–0 by Zürich after extra time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sui/news/newsid=2093705.html|title=Gavranovic edges Zürich past nine-man Basel|publisher=UEFA.com|author=Axel Ruppert|date=21 April 2014|accessdate=21 April 2014}}</ref> He was also an important instrument in team's European campaign, playing ten matches in the Champions League and five in the [[UEFA Europa League]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Zindel|first1=Josef|title=Rotblau: Jahrbuch Saison 2014/2015|publisher=FC Basel Marketing AG|year=2014|ISBN = 978-3-7245-2027-6}}</ref> In the [[2014–15 Swiss Super League|2014–15 season]], Xhaka was able to further cement his place in the lineup, playing 29 matches in league, as Basel were crowned champions for the sixth time in a row.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/News/2015/05/29/Der-Meisterfreitag-im-bunten-Zeitraffer|title=Der Meisterfreitag im bunten Zeitraffer|publisher=FC Basel 1893|language=German|author=Casar Marti|date=29 May 2015|accessdate=29 May 2015}}</ref> He scored his first goal of the season on 27 September in the 1–1 home draw against [[FC Thun|Thun]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://us.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/27/switzerland/super-league/fc-basel/fc-thun/1695199/|title=Basel vs. Thun 1 – 1|publisher=Soccerway|date=27 September 2014|accessdate=27 September 2011}}</ref> On 13 December, during the cup fixture against [[FC Sion|Sion]], Xhaka suffered an injury which kept him sidlined until the January 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/rashica-deciziv-te-vitesse-demtohet-taulant-xhaka/|title=Rashica deçiziv te Vitesse, dëmtohet Taulant Xhaka|publisher=Super Sport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Adi Metaliu|date=13 December 2014|accessdate=13 December 2014}}</ref> On 9 January 2015, Xhaka extended his contract for a further three years, up until 30 June 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/News/2015/01/09/Vertragsverlaengerung-mit-Taulant-Xhaka|title=VERTRAGSVERLÄNGERUNG MIT TAULANT XHAKA|publisher=FC Basel 1893|language=German|date=9 January 2015|accessdate=9 January 2015}}</ref> In February 2015, he was included in the 2014 Team of the Year by [[Swiss Football Association]] and was placed as right-defender.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/shkelzen-gashi-lojtari-i-vitit-2014-ne-zvicer-edhe-xhaka-te-me-te-miret/|title=Shkëlzen Gashi, “Lojtari i Vitit 2014″ në Zvicër, edhe Xhaka te më të mirët|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=3 February 2015|accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref> He became one of the three [[Albania national football team|Albania international footballers]] who participated in the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time in history, alongside Basel teammates [[Shkëlzen Gashi]] and [[Arlind Ajeti]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sport.albeu.com/sport/historike-3-shqiptare-ne-18-at-e-champions-league-foto-lajm/189002/|title=Historike! 3 shqiptarë në 1/8-at e Champions League (FOTO LAJM)|publisher=Sport.albeu.com|language=Albanian|date=18 February 2015|accessdate=18 February 2015}}</ref> Under trainer [[Urs Fischer (footballer)|Urs Fischer]], Xhaka won the Swiss Super League championship at the end of the [[2015–16 Swiss Super League|2015–16 season]]<ref name="fcb 2016-04-30">{{cite web | first = Casper | last = Marti | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2016 | url = http://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/News/2016/04/30/FCB-Sion | title = Es ist vollbracht ! Der FCB ist zum 19. Mal Meister | format = | work = | publisher = FC Basel 1893 | accessdate = 30 April 2016}}</ref> and at the end of the [[2016–17 Swiss Super League|2016–17 Super League season]] for the sixth time. For the club this was the eighth title in a row and their 20th championship title in total.<ref name="fcb 2017-06-02">{{cite web | first = Casper | last = Marti | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2017 | url = https://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/News/2017/06/02/Der-Saisonabschluss-im-Zeitraffer | title = Der Saisonabschluss im Zeitraffer | format = | work = | publisher = FC Basel 1893 | accessdate = 2 June 2017}}</ref> They also won the [[Swiss Cup]] for the 12th time, which meant they had won the double for the sixth time in club history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Swiss football: FC Basel wins 3–0 over Sion in Geneva; police extra vigilant after game|url=https://allaboutgeneva.com/2017/05/25/swiss-football-fc-basel-wins-3-0-over-sion-in-geneva-police-extra-vigilant-after-game|publisher=allaboutgeneva.com|date=25 May 2017}}</ref> Following the [[retirement]] of [[Matías Emilio Delgado]] in the start of the 2017–18 season, on 5 August 2017, Xhaka became [[Captain (association football)#Vice-captain|Vice-captain]] of Basel.<ref>[http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/situate-e-erret-ne-kombetare-por-xhaka-gradohet-ne-hierarkine-e-bazelit/ Situatë e errët në kombëtare, por Xhaka “gradohet” në hierarkinë e Bazelit] [[Panorama Sport]]</ref> Xhaka scored his first [[UEFA Champions League]] goal on 18 October 2017 in the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League group stage]] matchday 3 against [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] helping Basel to take their second win.<ref>{{cite web|title=UEFA Champions League - CSKA Moskva-Basel|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2018/matches/round=2000881/match=2021627/index.html|website=UEFA.com|publisher=[[UEFA]]|accessdate=18 October 2017}}</ref> ==International career== ===Switzerland youth level national teams=== Xhaka played for the Swiss youth squad at the [[Switzerland national under-17 football team|U-17]] level. He was part of the [[2008 UEFA European Under-17 Championship squads#.C2.A0Switzerland|Swiss U-17 squad]] which played in the [[2008 UEFA European Under-17 Championship]] in [[Antalya]], Turkey. In 2009 and 2010, he played for the [[Switzerland national under-18 football team|Switzerland under-18]] and the [[Switzerland national under-19 football team|Switzerland under-19 teams]]. He made his [[Switzerland national under-20 football team|Swiss under-20]] debut on 6 September 2010 in the [[Stadion Breite]], [[Schaffhausen]], as [[Defender (association football)#Full back|right back]] in the 2–3 home defeat against [[Germany national under-20 football team|Germany]]. Xhaka made his [[Switzerland national under-21 football team|Swiss under-21]] debut as a substitute on 7 October 2011 in the 1–0 away win against [[Georgia national under-21 football team|Georgia]].<ref name="nzz">{{cite web | last = nzz | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2011 | url = http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/sport/aktuell/sporttickerdepartment/urnnewsmlwwwsda-atsch20111007brz020_1.12887579.html | title = U-21-Auswahl in Georgien mit Auswärtsieg | work = | publisher = Neue Zürcher Zeitung AG | accessdate = 7 October 2011|language=de}}</ref> In the return match on 10 November, a 5–0 home win in the [[Cornaredo Stadium]], he was a starter. ===Albania=== In May 2013, the media reported Xhaka would welcome a call-up from the [[Albania national football team|Albania senior team]].<ref name="Panorama1">[http://www.panorama.com.al/2013/05/24/shqiperia-i-merr-zvicres-nje-xhaka/ Shqipëria i merr Zvicrës një Xhaka] Panorama.com.al</ref> He later confirmed in an interview his choice of Albania was definitive.<ref name="Shekulli1">{{cite web | last = Shekulli| first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2013 | url = http://www.shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=25800&kat=97| title = Taulant Xhaka: Zgjodha Shqipërinë, Zvicra s’më donte| work = | publisher = Shekulli| accessdate = 20 October 2013|language=sq}}</ref> In October 2013, his choice was influenced by his younger brother [[Granit Xhaka|Granit]], who did not want him to repeat his mistake; that is, choosing to represent [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] instead of their descence national team, Albania.<ref>[http://www.sportishqiptar.com.al/newsite/2013/10/17/taulant-xhaka-graniti-me-tha-te-zgjidhja-shqiperine/ Taulant Xhaka: Graniti më tha të zgjidhja Shqipërinë] ''[[Sporti Shqiptar]]''</ref> On 18 December 2013, Xhaka received Albanian citizenship, though he still required approval from [[FIFA]] in order to represent Albania internationally.<ref>[http://asport.al/taulant-xhaka-merr-shtetesi-shqiptare-foto-dekreti/ Taulant Xhaka merr shtetësi shqiptare (Foto Dekreti)] aSport.al</ref> Xhaka received his first call up by Albania head coach [[Gianni De Biasi]] for a friendly match against [[Malta national football team|Malta]] on 5 March 2014,<ref>[http://www.supersport.al/artikull.php?id=20869 Risia per Malten, Taulant Xhaka vishet kuqezi] [[SuperSport]]</ref> but he was replaced by [[Renato Arapi]] because he had been injured on 2 March 2014 during a match between Basel and Thun in which he was substituted off in the 72nd minute.<ref>[http://asport.al/demtohet-xhaka-therritet-arapi/ Dëmtohet Xhaka, thërritet Arapi] aSport.al</ref> Xhaka received the second consecutive call-up for a trio of friendly matches of Albania against [[Romania national football team|Romania]], [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] and [[San Marino national football team|San Marino]] on 31 May, 4 and 8 June 2014 respectively.<ref>[http://asport.al/aliti-dhe-cikalleshi-risite-pritet-prezantimi-i-xhakes-de-biasi-bunjaki-premtojne-bashkepunim/ Aliti dhe Cikalleshi risitë, pritet prezantimi i Xhakës...] aSport.al</ref> Days later, he withdrew again due to injury.<ref>[http://asport.al/xhaka-drejt-refuzimit-te-shqiperise/ Xhaka drejt refuzimit të Shqipërisë?] aSport.al</ref> On 25 June, Xhaka received approval from FIFA allowing him to represent Albania in international official matches.<ref>[http://www.panorama-sport.com/legjionaret/fifa-jep-ok-taulant-xhaka-zyrtarisht-kuqezi/ FIFA jep “OK”, Taulant Xhaka zyrtarisht kuqezi] ''[[Panorama Sport]]''</ref> ====UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers==== [[File:T.Xhaka.jpg|thumb|A portrait of Taulant Xhaka, drawn by an Albanian fan.]] Xhaka received his third consecutive call-up for Albania's match against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] on 7 September 2014, a [[UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group I|UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying]] match.<ref>[http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/2550-de-biazi-flet-per-ndeshjen-me-portugaline De Biazi flet për ndeshjen me Portugalinë] [[FSHF]].org "Në fund trajneri i Kombëtares së Shqipërisë publikoi edhe listën me 24 lojtarë të grumbulluar për këtë takim. Ata janë:...."</ref> He made his debut in that match, playing the full 90 minutes in Albania's surprise 1–0 away victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/07/europe/european-championship-qualification/portugal/albania/1653150/?ICID=HP_MS_136_08|title=Portugal vs. Albania – 7 September 2014 – Soccerway|publisher=|accessdate=13 July 2016}}</ref> He played well and was included in the best XI for the first round matches of Euro 2016 qualifying.<ref>[http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2014/09/10/5094843/euro-2016-team-of-the-week-lewandowski-and-muller-unstoppable-as- Euro 2016 Team of the Week: Lewandowski & Muller unstoppable as Albania make their mark] ''Goal.com''</ref> Xhaka was also included in Albania's starting line-up for its [[UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group I#Serbia v Albania|qualifying]] match against [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]] on 14 October 2014. In the 40th minute of that match, English referee [[Martin Atkinson]] halted play for a second time after flares had been thrown from the crowd in the direction of Albanian players. Meanwhile, at the same time, a drone seemingly remote-controlled was seen hovering above the pitch, parallel to the top of the stand, before falling towards the pitch 15 yards into the Serbian half. The [[Greater Albania]] insignia referred to the notion of an extended area in which all ethnic Albanians reside one that would include [[Kosovo]]. Serbian player [[Stefan Mitrović (footballer)|Stefan Mitrović]] caught the flag and was immediately accosted by Xhaka and the fellow Albanian player [[Andi Lila]], who took the flag from him.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/14/serbia-albania-euro-2016-flag-halted Serbia v Albania abandoned after players and fans brawl on pitch | Football] ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref> After the match Xhaka, along with [[Lorik Cana]], were declared citizens of honour from the mayor of the city of [[Mitrovica, Kosovo|Mitrovica]], Kosovo, for the bravery shown in "protecting national symbols".<ref>[http://koha.net/?id=9&l=29960 Bahtiri shpall Xhaken e Canen qytetare nderi te Mitrovices] KOHA.net</ref> ====UEFA Euro 2016==== On 21 May 2016, Xhaka was named in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad for the final stages of [[UEFA Euro 2016|Euro 2016]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/newsid=2366548.html|title=De Biasi leaves out Albanian top scorer Salihi|publisher=UEFA|author=Fatjon Pandovski|date=21 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref> and in Albania's final 23-man Euro 2016 squad, announced on 31 May.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://euro.fshf.org/de-biasi-shpall-listen-zyrtare-te-euro-2016/|title=De Biasi shpall listën zyrtare të Euro 2016|publisher=FSHF.org|date=31 May 2016|accessdate=31 May 2016}}</ref> In Albania's opening match, against Switzerland, Xhaka competed against his brother Granit, becoming the first pair of brothers to play against each other in the entire [[UEFA European Championship]] history. At that day, their mother watched from the crowd with a T-shirt combining both nations' flags. The match ended in a 0–1 defeat for Albania, and Taulant Xhaka threw a water bottle in anger after being substituted.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gill|first1=Kieran|title=Granit and Taulant Xhaka go head to head at Euro 2016... as their mother wears a half-and-half Switzerland-Albania shirt and older brother throws a tantrum on the touchline|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3636643/Granit-Taulant-Xhaka-head-head-Euro-2016-mother-wears-half-half-Switzerland-Albania-shirt-older-brother-throws-tantrum-touchline.html|accessdate=11 June 2016|work=Daily Mail|date=11 June 2016}}</ref> In Albania's second match, against hosts [[France national football team|France]], Xhaka played the final 16 minutes as a substittue for [[Burim Kukeli]] in Albania's eventual 2–0 defeat. In the third match, against [[Romania national football team|Romania]], Xhaka was an unused substitute as Albania notched an historic 1–0 win, the goal being scored by [[Armando Sadiku]].<ref>[http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/teams/team=2/matches/index.html UEFA EURO 2016 – Albania – Matches] [[UEFA]].com</ref> Albania finished the group in third position with three points with a goal difference of −2, and was ranked last in the rankings of the third-placed teams, which eventually eliminated them.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/albania-out-euro-2016-after-portugal-draw-hungary|title=Albania out of Euro 2016 after Portugal draw with Hungary|publisher=Fourfourtwo.com|date=22 June 2016|accessdate=9 October 2016}}</ref> ==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|18 November 2017}} <ref name="Soccerway">{{Soccerway|taulant-xhaka/134236}}</ref><ref name="Xhaka NFT">{{NFT player|id=56971|accessdate=8 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{UEFA player|1905362}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.joueurs.taulant.xhaka.111881.en.html|title=Football : Taulant Xhaka|publisher=Football Database|date=12 June 2016|accessdate=12 June 2016}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Club statistics |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|[[UEFA|Europe]]<ref group="lower-alpha">Including continental competitions, such as [[UEFA Champions League]] and [[UEFA Europa League]]</ref> !colspan="2"|Other<ref group="lower-alpha">Including other competitions, such as [[Swiss Super Cup]]</ref> !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|[[FC Basel#Reserve team (under-21)|Basel U21]] |[[2008–09 1. Liga Promotion|2008–09]] |rowspan="3"|[[1. Liga Promotion]] |11||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||1 |- |[[2009–10 1. Liga Promotion|2009–10]] |23||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||23||2 |- |[[2010–11 1. Liga Promotion|2010–11]] |16||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !50!!6!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!50!!6 |- |rowspan="3"|[[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshopper]] |[[2011–12 Swiss Super League|2011–12]] |rowspan="2"|[[Swiss Super League]] |13||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||0 |- |[[2012–13 Swiss Super League|2012–13]] |25||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||29||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !38!!0!!5!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!43!!0 |- |rowspan="8"|[[FC Basel|Basel]] |[[2010–11 Swiss Super League|2010–11]] |rowspan="7"|[[Swiss Super League]] |6||0||3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||9||0 |- |[[2011–12 Swiss Super League|2011–12]] |5||0||2||0||2<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UCL">All appearance(s) in [[UEFA Champions League]]</ref>||0||colspan="2"|—||9||0 |- |[[2013–14 Swiss Super League|2013–14]] |23||2||4||0||15<ref group="lower-alpha">Ten appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], five in [[UEFA Europa League]]</ref>||0||colspan="2"|—||42||2 |- |[[2014–15 Swiss Super League|2014–15]] |29||1||4||0||7<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UCL"/>||0||colspan="2"|—||40||1 |- |[[2015–16 Swiss Super League|2015–16]] |24||0||1||0||12<ref group="lower-alpha">Two appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], ten in [[UEFA Europa League]]</ref>||0||colspan="2"|—||37||0 |- |[[2016–17 Swiss Super League|2016–17]] |30||0||2||0||6||0||colspan="2"|—||38||0 |- |[[2017–18 Swiss Super League|2017–18]] |11||0||3||1||4||1||colspan="2"|—||18||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !128!!3!!19!!1!!46!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!193!!5 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !216!!9!!24!!1!!46!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!286!!11 |} {{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}} ===International=== {{updated|13 November 2017}} <ref name="Xhaka NFT"/><ref>[http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=28806 Taulant Xhaka – national football team player] EU-football.info</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! colspan=3 | [[Albania national football team|Albania national team]] |- !Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |- |2014||3||0 |- |2015||7||0 |- |2016||8||0 |- |2017||2||0 |- !Total||20||0 |} <!-- ====International goals==== :''Scores and results list (his national team)'s goal tally first.'' {|class="wikitable" |- !Goal!!Date!!Venue!!Opponent!!Score!!Result!!Competition |- | 1 || date || stadium, place, country || {{fb|national code}} || align=center | '''1'''–0 || align=center | 1–0 || competition |- | 2 || rowspan="2" | date || rowspan="2" | STADIUM || rowspan="2" | {{fb|national code}} || align=center | '''1'''–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| 2–0 || rowspan="2" | competition |- | 3 || align=center | '''2'''–0 |} --> ==Honours== ;Basel<ref name="Soccerway" /> * [[Swiss Super League]]: [[2010–11 Swiss Super League|2010–11]], [[2013–14 Swiss Super League|2013–14]], [[2014–15 Swiss Super League|2014–15]], [[2015–16 Swiss Super League|2015–16]], [[2016–17 Swiss Super League|2016–17]] * [[Swiss Cup]] winner: [[2016–17 Swiss Cup|2016–17]] * [[Swiss Cup]] runner up: [[2013–14 Swiss Cup|2013–14]], [[2014–15 Swiss Cup|2014–15]] * [[Uhrencup|Uhren Cup]] : 2011, 2013 ;Grasshopper<ref name="Soccerway" /> * [[Swiss Cup]]: [[2012–13 Swiss Cup|2012–13]] * [[Swiss Super League]] Runner-up: [[2012–13 Swiss Super League|2012–13]] ;Basel U-18 * U-18 Swiss Cup: 2007–08<ref name="fcb 2008-06-15">{{cite web | last = FC Basel 1893 | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2008 | url = http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/-/20378/27/7/7 | title = Zwei weitere Nachwuchstitel für den FCB | format = | work = | publisher = FC Basel 1893 | accessdate = 15 June 2008|language=de}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * [http://fcb.ch/sport/show/playerDetailByID/-/30167/72/9/36/-/-/25328 Profile at FC Basel] {{de icon}} * [http://www.sfl.ch/superleague/klubs/fc-basel-1893/player/taulant-xhaka/season/201617/ Profile season 2016/17 on the Swiss Football League homepage] {{de icon}} * {{Soccerway|taulant-xhaka/134236}} * {{NFT player|id=56971}} * {{UEFA player|1905362}} {{FC Basel Squad}} {{Albania squad UEFA Euro 2016}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Xhaka, Taulant}} [[Category:1991 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Basel-Stadt]] [[Category:Association football defenders]] [[Category:Association football midfielders]] [[Category:Swiss footballers]] [[Category:Albanian footballers]] [[Category:Swiss Super League players]] [[Category:FC Basel players]] [[Category:Grasshopper Club Zürich players]] [[Category:Albania international footballers]] [[Category:Switzerland youth international footballers]] [[Category:Switzerland under-21 international footballers]] [[Category:Swiss people of Kosovan descent]] [[Category:Swiss people of Albanian descent]] [[Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players]]'