As the future of Germany international – Ozil – at the Emirates continue to lie in great doubt with contract extension talks stalling, a lot of clubs are monitoring the situation and ready to swing into action once Arsenal fails to succeed in their efforts to renew the midfielder’s contract.
Recent rumours making the rounds claim that Manchester United could make a swoop for the 28-year-old, with Jose Mourinho keen to reunite with Ozil with whom he won the 2011-12 La Liga title as an integral member of his Real Madrid squad.
Is such a move realistic?
While Ozil leaving Arsenal before his contract expires in the summer of 2018 cannot be ruled out, switching the Emirates for Old Trafford looks as bizarre as they come.
Peradventure Ozil chooses to leave Arsenal for whatever reasons, Manchester United isn’t the best destination for a player of his status. Not that the Red Devils aren’t big enough for him, but that they have been in recovery mode since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure means they aren’t worthy of such high-class player who is currently at the peak of his career.
A lack of the EPL title might force Ozil out of Arsenal eventually, but the present United team under the auspices of Mourinho have a lesser chance at the title compared to the north London club.
So, why would Ozil want to leave Arsenal when they are closer to the title than they have ever been?
Wenger’s departure might play a big factor in his exit, but an ambitious Mesut would probably move elsewhere than United.
Mourinho remains one of the best managers in the game, but considering his recent habits of publicly dressing down his players and questioning their commitments following any poor performance, a big player like Ozil would probably want to avoid such a move.
The German is a type of player who seldom goes missing in games, and that is exactly what Mourinho has often frowned at of recent. There is also the clash in playing style and philosophy between the player and manager.
Jose wants his players defensively stiffed, and won’t hesitate to drop any who doesn’t fit that mould. Ozil, on the other hand, wants to purely attack and contributes little in terms of tracking back and helping the team with defensive duties.
Of a truth, he excelled under the former Chelsea coach at Madrid, but this was due to him playing a central midfield role as a number 10. And he didn’t have to worry much about defending.
In a 4-2-3-1 formation, he excels as a number 8, playing right behind the centre forward. Jose won’t switch to a 4-3-3 because of him, and if he is to play as a central attacking midfielder at Old Trafford, he has to defend and it doesn’t look like both of them can reach a compromise as regards roles and responsibilities.
Moreso, Ozil won’t earn an automatic starting shirt if he decides to move to United, and that he has to compete with the likes of Mata, Rooney and Mkhitaryan for a spot in the lineup doesn’t seem like an idea that will sit down well with him.
Mesut might leave Arsenal in the long run as renewal talks continue to hit a brick wall, but him moving to Old Trafford is completely out of it.