Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka Blames Failed Premier League Title Run on Internal Division

The Swiss international admits that his team's inability to stay united cost them the title last season.

Xhaka: "We were not a team last season. We were too divided. We had too many egos. We didn't play for each other."

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka has said that his team's failure to win the Premier League title last season was due to a lack of unity within the squad.

The Swiss international told reporters that the team was "not a team" and that there were "too many egos" in the dressing room.

"We didn't play for each other," Xhaka said. "We played for ourselves."

Xhaka's comments come after Leverkusen finished second in the Premier League last season, two points behind champions Manchester City.

It was the second time in three seasons that Leverkusen had finished runner-up to City, and Xhaka said that the team needs to learn from its mistakes if it wants to challenge for the title again next season.

"We need to be more united," Xhaka said. "We need to play for each other. We need to be a team."