Young, talented and setting the World Cup alight in South Africa, Mesut Ozil is fast becoming one of the most promising starlets since the emergence of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
Ozil is currently contracted to Werder Bremen and still has one more year left on his deal. However, the 21-year-old midfielder has impressed so much in South Africa that he has attracted several clubs around Europe.
Amongst them are Premier League outfits Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as Primera League champions Barcelona, who have recently expressed their interest in the player dubbed ‘the German Messi’ by his country.
The instrumental German international is bound to leave the Budersliga side after the mass interest shown in him this summer, but which club would best suit Ozil from the ones that have shown an interest in him so far?
Barcelona
Barcelona will no doubt be the favourites to sign the Werder Bremen man as they are undoubtedly the best team in the world. They play some majestic football and have a great amount of talent in all areas of their team, especially within the midfield and upfront. Ozil likes to play behind the striker, but can also play on the flanks if he needs to. However, reports in Catalonia suggest that they are only interested in signing the 21-year-old because of other big clubs showing an interest. Barcelona will make a bid for the German international in the summer and if they are successful, will loan him out as reports suggest in Spain. With that being said, would Ozil like the idea of being bought to the Nou Camp only to be loaned out to the team he just left? Barcelona already have Lionel Messi, Pedro, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and newly recruited David Villa in their current line up for this season, so do Barcelona really need Ozil? Especially with Barca also chasing Cesc Fabregas this summer, or are they bidding just to spite the other clubs interested?
Mesut Ozil would definitely suit the Catalan club because of the football they play, but would it be the correct move for the midfielder at this stage of his career? Probably not, as he will want to play week in week out for the club he signs for…he’s too good to be loaned out plain and simple.
Suitability Rating: 9/10 – Would blend well with the Barcelona side without a doubt. However, it would be the wrong move for him if we are lead to believe what has been reported of course.
Manchester City
Manchester City urgently need an attacking midfielder amongst their ranks, as it appears they have none for the upcoming season. Stephen Ireland looks to be heading off, and is the only recognized attacking midfielder City have to offer at present. Manchester City don’t play the best football, but they do acquire great team spirit and have good solid players in all areas of the field. City have been linked with David Silva in the past few weeks and should they sign him this summer, then maybe Ozil will not be as wanted as much by Mancini. However, Ozil is a very versatile player and could play in the central role at the club, which would mean Silva would take a wing position which he is very familiar with.
City are very capable of obtaining the German maestro as money is certainly not an issue to Mancini and co. Ozil could fit well into the squad, although, the Manchester club do not offer Champion’s League football this season, which evidently may see the German look for one that does.
Suitability Rating: 6/10 – City need a player like him, but Ozil certainly doesn’t need a club like City, especially if they don’t offer Champion’s League football.
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Arsenal
The interest has only been fabricated because the North London club fear they may lose their captain and talisman Cesc Fabregas this summer. A lot of names have been thrown about as to who the ideal replacement would be for Fabregas if Arsenal do decide to let him go to Barcelona, Ozil is definitely one of them.
Arsenal obtain a vast number of players with creativity within their squad, Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie are to name just a few. Arsenal’s pursuit of the German will only grow bigger if Fabregas leaves this summer, otherwise they will not really need another creative midfielder, right? Arsenal (just like Barcelona) play some wonderful, cultured football, and having seen Ozil in the World Cup so far, it looks as if he does as well. The Gunners also offer Champions League football which will work in their favour if they are to bid for the German when the window re-opens in July. Wenger would certainly provide Ozil great coaching and adapt the 21-year-old’s skills in the right way, thus making him even better than he already is (that’s a scary thought right?) The Werder Bremen wonder-boy would definitely fit well into the squad, and excel as a player if he were to join Gunners this summer. However, as stated before, it all depends on what Fabregas decides within the next few months. Possibly one of his better options out of the four listed in this article.
Suitability Rating: 8/10 – Arsenal play beautiful football and Ozil certainly bags creativity to suit their style of football, but if Cesc stays then most positively Wenger will not take his interest any further.
Chelsea
With Michael Ballack and more importantly Joe Cole heading for the exit doors this summer, Chelsea will be short of creativity within their midfield. Chelsea have a solid and formidable team, but many question whether they have enough ingenuity within their squad. Potentially, along with City, Chelsea need a player like Ozil at their club, someone to unlock a defence with a through ball or fashion a moment of magic out of nothing. Carlo Ancelotti likes to set his team in a 4-4-2 diamond shape, with Michael Essein at the back, and Frank Lampard on top of the diamond. Ozil would relish the role Lampard has, but would Ancelotti be willing to take his most influential player out of position in order to integrate Ozil into their side? Lampard has been moved before so who’s to say he won’t do it again for the good of the team.
Chelsea have played more of an attractive game since the arrival of the Italian manager, that’s for sure. With the club achieving the domestic double last season and Champion’s League football again this season, Chelsea maybe a good location for the young German to hone his skills. However, it does appear that if he is to purchased this summer then current players at the club may have to move around in order to accommodate and bring out the best in the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.
Suitability Rating: 8/10 – Chelsea are a well oiled and solid unit which guarantees European football every season, a good option for Ozil, but may struggle to adapt to Chelsea’s style of football.
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