So that Ozil chap went to Madrid

[Woland]

Which is good as far as I can tell. I didn't want him anywhere near any of our opposition and it wasn't like we were ever going to get him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8921836.stm

Real Madrid have completed the signing of Germany World Cup star Mesut Ozil from Werder Bremen.

The 21-year-old was in outstanding form during Germany's run to the semi-finals, and had attracted interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs.

The two clubs are believed to have agreed a fee of about 15m euros (£12.4m) for a player with one year left on his contract.

Ozil will undergo a medical in Madrid on Wednesday.

A statement on the Real website paid fulsome tribute to Ozil's qualities.
Mesut Ozil storms past England's Ashley Cole at the World Cup
Ozil was in sparkling form against England in South Africa

"His unique touch, unmatched individual technique, excellent ball control and deadly last pass make the German midfielder one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in European football," read the statement.

Ozil, who follows his Germany team-mate Sami Khedira to the Bernabeu, joined Werder Bremen from Schalke in 2008, winning the DFB Cup and finishing as a runner-up in the Uefa Cup.

"We respect that Mesut wants to go and take the next step in his career," said Werder Bremen's director of sport Klaus Allofs.

Ozil won the European Under-21 title with Germany in 2009, and made his debut for the senior national side in the same year.

He quickly established himself in Joachim Loew's plans and was one of the stars of the 2010 World Cup, making the shortlist for the player of the tournament.

Ozil scored a memorable goal in the group stages against Ghana but it was in his role as a creator that he really shone, laying on numerous opportunities for his team-mates as they brushed England and Argentina aside on their way to the last four.

606: DEBATE
How do you think Ozil will fare at Real Madrid?

In the second round against England, Ozil was in devastating form as a youthful Germany team put their bitter rivals to the sword, and he continued in the same vein against Argentina in the quarter-finals.

The left-footer has become new Real coach Jose Mourinho's sixth major signing of the summer, following Khedira, former Chelsea star Ricardo Carvalho, Spanish duo Pedro Leon and Sergio Canales and Argentina's Angel di Maria.

 

[vikas]

He'll do ok/well enough for them, but they'll criminally underuse him and knock his confidence and he'll be unjustifiably shipped out within 1/2 seasons, hopefully with us to pick up the pieces..

 

[eecheerow]

[quote author=vikas link=topic=41479.msg1156077#msg1156077 date=1282057304]
He'll do ok/well enough for them, but they'll criminally underuse him and knock his confidence and he'll be unjustifiably shipped out within 1/2 seasons, hopefully with us to pick up the pieces..
[/quote]

Yup.

Good move for us in that he didn't go to a direct rival, poor move for his career though (at this early stage).

 

[WhyAlwaysMe?]

Madrid have had a great summer of Ozil and Di Maria, in addition to their Ronaldo/Benzema/Kaka's... Bastards..

 

[keniget]

Unlucky VDV...

 

[Woland]

Kaka hasn't played at all well since his wife hit puberty. I think Ozil will play quite a bit.

 

[ibromurph]

Stupid move on his part. I think Vikas has got it right.

 

[Buddha]

I think he'll establish himself as superstar there by the end of the season. Their best buy of the summer.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=41479.msg1156108#msg1156108 date=1282061307]
Stupid move on his part. I think Vikas has got it right.
[/quote]

It all depends on Kaka and his future on this team tbh.

 

[Judge Jules]

He's the player from the World Cup whom I'd have signed before any other, had it been possible. I'm just glad the Mancs didn't get him.

 

[Squiggles]

United would have been a better move for him, because he's an able deputy for Scholes and would fit right into their style of play.

It's quite a relief he didn't go there.

Real Madrid could be unstoppable under Mourinho. La Liga will be entertaining this year.

 

[RolandG]

Best result for us. Top player that had the potential to strengthen our rival and do some serious damage. Now all we have to do is wait for the January window, look at their squad and target a few players deemed surplus to strengthen our squad.

We were in for VDV before Rafa got axed. Quite a revelation.
Christian Purslow were credited with approaching Real Madrid as to the players availability, albeit without the input of Rafael Benitez, which proved to be a further sign that the manager was going to have no input on the new season and be heading out of the club.

 

[ibromurph]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=41479.msg1156112#msg1156112 date=1282062195]
[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=41479.msg1156108#msg1156108 date=1282061307]
Stupid move on his part. I think Vikas has got it right.
[/quote]

It all depends on Kaka and his future on this team tbh.
[/quote]

Yeah, that's true. He might be lucky as Kaka is out for a while.

But when he gets back I can just see Jose shafting Ozil out wide and having Kaka in that Sneijder/Lampard position. I wouldn't be surprised if he was used mainly from the bench (like Kalou/SWP/Cole/Balotelli) was.

 

[King Binny]

Jose Mourinho addressed the media after the match in Liege and said he is happy with the signing of Ozil.

"I am very happy with the signing of Ozil. Aside from what the coach thinks the team may need, the Club has worked very hard and made great efforts to come up with a team in the best possible conditions. Real Madrid has invested a sum sufficient to get its coach to respect the entity and its sports, management and financial departments."

"Ozil is creative and more offensive than Gago or Lass. He is similar to Canales. I hope tactical work and the natural disposition German players have to work hard allow us to use him in one of the more defensive positions of our midfield."

"I cannot bring Ozil's and Canales' progress to a standstill. I hope the latter continues to have the same mentality he's showcased so far. Everyone says wonders about him and I like him very much. He will enjoy many minutes of playing time on this team if he doesn't change."

"The most important thing for Van der Vaart tonight was to do things well and to show his coach he is ready to play for this team. Rafael did well and he has the Club's and my respect for everything he did last year. It isn't a problem to have Rafael and Ozil on the pitch at the same time. They could offer solutions to the team together."

 

[keniget]

With Kaka out VDV must've thought he'd be a shoe-in, but that's gone up in smoke now. It'll also be interesting to see if Canales will get any game time like Mourinho supposedly says.