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The undisputed thread on why Mesut Özil is the greatest playmaker of the last decade. Facts only.
Starting off with Mesut Özil in La Liga. The most amazing thing is that Özil played in La Liga for 3 seasons yet has the 2 best playmaking seasons on this chart.
Özil’s time at Arsenal is often seen as a failure. In fact he had his best season in the premier league picking up 19 assists, however he created 146 chances during the 2015-16 season.
Robbed.
Robbed.
Lionel Messi is often regarded as the greatest playmaker of all time.
Lionel Messi assists per 90: 0.40
Mesut Özil assists per 90: 0.42
Simply the best.
Lionel Messi assists per 90: 0.40
Mesut Özil assists per 90: 0.42
Simply the best.
In addition to this, since August 2006, Messi has created just over 2.25 chances per 90. David Silva has just under 2.75. Mesut Özil has over 3.5.
Levels above the rest.
Levels above the rest.
In addition to this, many believe David Silva had a better playmaking career than Mesut Özil. @derRabe23 debunked this with this chart.
Kevin de Bruyne is often said to be better than Mesut Özil.
Fact: Mesut Özil has more UCL goal contributions than de Bruyne has UCL appearances.
Fact: Mesut Özil has more UCL goal contributions than de Bruyne has UCL appearances.
An area of Özil’s game that is heavily criticised is ‘not turning up in big games’. Here are his stats against the premier league top 6.
(Stats are dated to end of 2017/18)
(Stats are dated to end of 2017/18)
Another player who is regarded as one of the best ever playmakers is Andreas Iniesta. This is how they compared to one another during Özil’s time in Spain.
Özil has proven his class everywhere he has been. In fact, Mesut Özil remains the only player to have been the top assist provider in:
Bundesliga
La Liga
Premier league
Champions league
Europa league
European championships
World cup
Mr. Consistent
BundesligaLa LigaPremier leagueChampions leagueEuropa leagueEuropean championshipsWorld cupMr. Consistent
Don’t just take my word for it, the next section will be professionals & managers’ thoughts on Mesut Özil.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
“Mesut Özil made me the best striker in the world”.
“Mesut Özil made me the best striker in the world”.
Andres Iniesta on Mesut Özil leaving for Arsenal:
"I was very surprised that Madrid let Ozil leave because he understands football better than any one else.”
"I was very surprised that Madrid let Ozil leave because he understands football better than any one else.”
Pep Guardiola:
“I admire him a lot”
“He is a world class player”
“I admire him a lot”
“He is a world class player”
Jose Mourinho:
"Ozil is unique. There is no copy of him, not even a bad copy.”
"Ozil is unique. There is no copy of him, not even a bad copy.”
Xavi:
“Top 5 best midfielders right now without choosing from Barça? Modrić, Kroos, Thiago, verrati, Özil”
“Top 5 best midfielders right now without choosing from Barça? Modrić, Kroos, Thiago, verrati, Özil”
Messi:
"Ozil is for me Germany's best player, he is first class, very creative."
"Ozil is for me Germany's best player, he is first class, very creative."
Kaka:
“After Cristiano, my favourite player to play with at Madrid was Özil”
“His understanding of the game, space and movements was second to none”
“After Cristiano, my favourite player to play with at Madrid was Özil”
“His understanding of the game, space and movements was second to none”
