Former German Star, Mario Basler has called on the handlers of the country’s national team to drop Arsenal midfielder from the team stressing that the former Real Madrid star is overrated. Ozil and Manchester City midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan, generated controversy when they met with Turkey’s president Tayyip Erdogan in London recently and Basler believes both players should have been expelled from the national team for their action.
Basler also insists that despite Ozil’s talent, the Arsenal man often goes missing in key games: “Ozil is overrated. Even if he plays another 100 internationals. To me, he’s a follower. He has extraordinary abilities, of course. But in big games, he doesn’t put them on the pitch. If they (Gundogan and Ozil) are boot in the first World Cup match of the German team, Jogi Low must respond. He should replace and not let them play, otherwise he’s putting the major honour in jeopardy,” Basler said.
The world champions have endured a torrid preparation for the World Cup-winning just one of their five preparatory games before the tournament. Also, Ozil has been struggling for fitness ahead of the World Cup with complaint of back and knee injuries in recent weeks.