Germany head into the 2018 world cup at Russia as defending champion and will want to retain the greatest trophy in football come July and it’s widely believe that this will be another chance for football betting lovers to get rewarded for their passion. To achieve this, some key members of the last winning squad have to play a key role in Russia.
One of such players is Mesut Ozil. The Arsenal midfielder who just signed a £350k-a-week contract to stay at the Emirates till 2021 will be the most influential member of Jachim Low side.
The 29-year-old made his world cup debut in 2010 at South Africa where he caught the attention of the biggest clubs in Europe before he was snapped up by Real Madrid immediately after that world cup. His presence and influence in the squad can’t be undermined.
He has not just been a squad member but a regular starter for Jachim Low side. With the world cup set to start in few months, he will be undoubtedly a player to look out for.
Many of the members of the 2014 winning squad were class of the 2006 world cup debutant and most have retired after the world cup. So, the senior members of this German side are those of the Ozil class of 2010. This means that many fans will look at him as a leader in the team. He leads the team from the point of experience and ability in the team.
Among German midfielders going to the world cup, none has the ability and quality Ozil brings to the team. At 29, he is primed to lead the team. His passing accuracy and assist ratio for Germany is a reason he has been voted German footballer of the year twice. With 22 goals in 88 caps for the team, his goals also play a crucial role in the team success in the past and will definitely be needed in Russia come June.
There is a branding and marketing quality that every team needs. Ozil represent that especially among the few German regulars that play abroad and have successfully made name for themselves. The “M10” trademark that he promotes now after being given the jersey number 10 since the retirement of Lukas Podolski have help gained more popularity among followers and fans of the game.
There is the bond and partnership that has been established between Ozil and Thomas Muller since both have started playing together in 2010. Their partnership is key to whatever success Germany might go ahead to achieve in Russia.
Playing him directly behind the point man, the position he loves most, also makes Germany much deadlier because this makes it almost impossible to mark him out of the team. This way, his impact on the game is felt more and he contribute to the game with his assists and goals more.
Germany have a priceless asset in Ozil going to Russia. He is a player every nation will be dyeing to have. It will be interesting to see how the team go with him and maybe they will retain the world cup. It will be a record breaking year for the Arsenal midfielder.