Everyone expected Mesut Ozil to make a decision about his future with the national team after Germany were knocked out of the world cup spectacularly. The German media looked for a scapegoat and found one in Ozil. The Arsenal play maker who has roots with Turkey was pictured with the Turkish president together with fellow teammate Ikay Gundogan a decision that did not go down well with a section of German fans.
But truth be told, the whole team failed terribly and it was wrong to blame Ozil for the failure. But Ozil’s decision to retire has rocked German football again. Already, there have been different reactions and opinions about the decision.
Bayern Munich president and former West Germany international Uli Hoeness has revealed his joy at Mesut Ozil’s retirement from the national team, claiming the Arsenal man has been “s*** for years”.rement from the national team, claiming the Arsenal man has been “s*** for years”.
“I am glad that this scare is now over. He had been playing s*** for years,” he told Bild. “He last won a tackle before the 2014 World Cup. And now he and his s***** performance hide beyond this picture. “Whenever [Bayern] played against Arsenal, we played over him because we knew that was their weak point.
“His 35 million follower boys – that don’t exist in real world – are convinced he has played sublimely when he completes a cross pass.
But with Ozil now hanging his boots, the team must start the process of rebuilding ahead of the Euro 2020. So who will be replacing him in the squad. Leroy Sane will be an automatic member of the team from now henceforth after controversially missing the short stay in Russia.
But coach Joachim Low is expected to blood in more young talent in the team and one of the beneficiaries of this could be Linton Maina, the highly rated teenage midfielder who plays for Bundesliga side Hannover 96.
At only 19 years, Maina who has a Kenyan father and eligible to play for Harambee Stars, has already established himself in the Bundesliga having made his debut in March this year in a 0-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund.
The youngster has already played for Germany’s junior sides. He has been capped a collective 21 times for Germany’s U16-19 national sides. He joined Hannover’s U17 side in July of 2014 and two years later he had graduated to be part of the U19 side.
He made his biggest contribution in the Bundesliga with an assist against Bayer Leverkusen.
Linton Maina
Age: 19
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: @Hannover96
Nationality: ??This young man has proved himself in almost every position on the pitch, and with 2 Bundesliga appearances already under his belt, expect a lot more in 2018/19 ? #BundesligaYouth pic.twitter.com/JIBQRD1KIX
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) July 18, 2018
To reiterate their confidence in the player, Hannover slapped the player with a long-term professional contract in February. The contract ties him till June 2022.
Only time, will tell if the midfielder can go on and establish himself as a fully-fledged Germany international. Already, Kenya has lost Divock Origi to Belgium. The striker, born to legendary former Harambee stars striker Mike Okoth was eligible to play for Kenya but chose to go to the 2014 world cup in Brazil with the red devils where he scored a goal.
He later moved to Liverpool where he didn’t enjoy a lot of success, and lost his place in the team that finished 3rd in Russia.
Another Kenyan footballer, Phillip Mwene, recently joined Bundesliga side Mainz from German second division outfit Kaiserslautern on a free transfer.
Mwene is said to have signed a three-year deal with the German side – one that will keep him there till the summer of 2021. According to Mainz Sporting Director Rouven Schroeder, the club is pleased to sign 24-year-old Mwene.
“Philipp is a very strong and versatile attacking full-back, who has developed constantly to become a go-to player in the second division. We see his potential to make the next step with us and are pleased that he has opted for Mainz,” said Schroeder to Xinhua Sports.He made 65 appearances for Kaiserslautern, scoring 4 goals and assisting nine times.
“I am really looking forward to my new club, my team and task. I see my transfer to Mainz as a great chance to prove myself on the next level,” said Mwene.
Mainz have signed Phillipp #Mwene ✍
The 24-year-old fullback has joined the club on a free transfer from 1. FC Kaiserslautern, signing a contract with the #Zerofivers until 2021. #UpTheMainz pic.twitter.com/j14xt8ChL3
— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) May 23, 2018