MLS and Mesut Ozil: Buyer beware
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is being linked with a move to MLS again this offseason. The World Cup winner should come with a ‘buyer beware’ sticker, however, as his attitude could be a problem.
David Villa was the perfect player for New York City FC to build their franchise upon. The Spain international was more than just a brilliant footballer; he was — and still is — a committed, humble, hard-working, infectiously brilliant individual and character.
As Major League Soccer clubs have increasingly turned to ageing European stars, the need to evaluate more than just their quality on the pitch has only intensified.
Realistically, all of the former European greats are capable enough players to star in MLS, as long as their legs still have some juice left. But some of them arrive Stateside with little interest in working hard and committing themselves to the team. They are more bothered by the handsome pay packet and cushty, near-retirement style of life.
Villa was not one of these individuals. For all of his brilliance on the pitch, his greatest impact for New York City FC was off it. He was a leader in the dressing room, he brought fans into the stadium, he was the face of the franchise.
This brings me to Mesut Ozil, who has been tentatively linked with a potential MLS move this offseason as his Arsenal career spirals out of control under Unai Emery. In fact, mlssoccer.com even ran a piece considering the top four possible landing spots for the German, should he indeed hop across the pond.
Like Villa, Ozil is a World Cup winner, a celebrated and decorated star on the biggest stage, with unique qualities that would immediately make him one of the most talented players in the league. But there is an issue with Ozil: his attitude.
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As Arsenal have experienced ever since he signed a bumper near $500,000-per-week contract, Ozil has not delivered based on the money they have invested him. He is regularly and curiously ill, missing over 100 games throughout his time at the club, and his performances have fallen off a cliff ever since he secured the big-money deal.
This does not prove that Ozil is only after the money. He has been very successful, after all, and it would be difficult for any individual, no matter how talented they are, to reach the level he has without being uber-competitive and not solely motivated by money.
Nevertheless, it should be viewed as a warning sign for any potential MLS suitors. Remember Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard at New York City? Or Steven Gerrard in LA? These were tremendously expensive players who were not worth their extortionate designated player wages, either as a result of their poor attitude, injuries, or just slowing down in old age.
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Signing old European stars can work. Just ask the Galaxy and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But any potential signing should come with a ‘buyer beware’ sign. And Ozil, perhaps more than most, is a risky investment for any team.