Former Switzerland international Stephane Henchoz has suggested that Xherdan Shaqiri has joined Stoke City for financial reasons rather than to further his career.
The 23-year-old became Stoke's record signing when he moved to the Britannia Stadium from Inter Milan for £12m last month.
Henchoz, who played in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool, has admitted that he does not understand Shaqiri's motivations.
"[English] clubs have a tremendous amount of money, and that will be even more pronounced from the 2016-17 season," Henchoz told Tages Anzeiger.
"Why else would Xherdan Shaqiri sign a five-year contract with Stoke? He is certainly not there because Stoke have big ambitions to reach the Champions League, which will never be the case. It is only because of the money at Stoke.
"I find it incomprehensible. He's at Stoke because he can get money there he can get nowhere else. That's all."
Shaqiri has made two appearances so far for Stoke.
Steven Toplis
