The short 10: Diminutive stars in the Premier League

The original Premier League Hobbit, Zola helped change long-held perceptions on height in football
The original Premier League Hobbit, Zola helped change long-held perceptions on height in football

#8 Xherdan Shaqiri

Height: 5 feet, 6.5 inches (1.69m)

The Alpine Messi has been very good since joining the league and can only get better
The Alpine Messi has been very good since joining the league and can only get better

An imperious and often arrogant presence, Xherdan has lit up the Bet365 Stadium since he joined The Potters from Inter Milan for £12m in 2015.

Called the “Alpine Messi” due to similarities with the Argentine superstar (height and abilities), Shaqiri’s PL career has not gone as should due to a succession of injuries.

Whenever fit, he brings a completely different dimension to Stoke City’s play with his dead ball abilities, dribbling, playmaking and crossing skills unmatched by any other player in the team.

With 55 games played in his 3 seasons so far, he has delivered a rather disappointing tally of 8 goals and 10 assists.

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