Speaking on the BBC Match of the Day top 10 Podcast, Gary Lineker has been discussing Mesut Ozil and his time at Arsenal.
The German was undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the Premier League during his time at the Gunners, but for one reason or another, he wasn’t given the credit he deserved at times.
Lineker believes that Ozil was judged rather unfairly due to his lackadaisical style of play and his unconventional running style, stating that, much like Paul Pogba, Ozil was unfairly judged to be a lazy player.
What’s been said?
Lineker gave his view on Ozil and the way he was perceived.
“Do you think in some ways he’s a bit like Paul Pogba? In the sense that he was supremely gifted and played beautiful football, but because he was playing in England and not up and at them and sprinting everywhere, and they have a running style that sort of looks lazy, but it’s just the way they move. Do you think we judged them because of that and said ‘they don’t try hard enough or give 100%’,” Lineker said.
Not suited to the Premier League
Lineker is absolutely right, this style of play isn’t suited to the Premier League – or at least it’s not suited to earning plaudits in the Premier League.
Ozil and Pogba are both talented footballers, but because they make everything look so effortless, there’s a stigma surrounding them that they’re lazy.
English football was built on getting stuck in and running your socks off, and any player that goes against that style is looked down upon.
It’s the same reason why some football fans swear blind that Lionel Messi couldn’t cope with a cold wet night in Stoke, despite the fact he’s constantly terrorised Premier League sides in the Champions League for decades.
Footballing discourse in certain circles in England is rather archaic, and sadly, Ozil’s reputation took a hit because of that.
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