Stoke City star Xherdan Shaqiri has extended an invitation to his former Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld.

The 67-year-old has often been critical of Shaqiri's move to Stoke from Inter Milan last summer, labelling the Potters as 'unexciting' while suggesting that the winger was in 'no man's land' and that he would be 'sorry if Shaqiri would play forever at Stoke'.

But Shaqiri has leapt to the defence of the Staffordshire club and implored Hitzfeld to come to one day the Bet365 Stadium and cast his eyes on Mark Hughes' side.

"Ottmar Hitzfeld may not be so interested in the little clubs," he said.

"It is normal for a big coach to focus on the big players and the big teams. But Mark Hughes has reacted well — he has invited him to Stoke.

"I would be very happy - and here is my invitation to come and watch us. For example, for the home game against Manchester United.

"The Premier League is more balanced than the Bundesliga, because many good players have gone to small clubs. That's why the Premier League is, for me, the best league in the world."