Although many critics have arisen since Real Madrid sold Mesut Ozil to Arsenal on a 50-million-euros transfer, the truth is that the German international’s sale has been a very clever last minute move by Florentino Perez.
With Gareth Bale arriving at the end of the transfer market for a world-record fee, it was clear that there was not enough space in the starting line-up for all Madrid’s world-class players.
While Cristiano Ronaldo and Isco seem to be permanent fixtures in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting eleven, there was just one spot left in the second forward line behind Karim Benzema.
With the likes of Bale, Di Maria and even Jese Rodriguez on the books, that would mean that a player worth 50 million would have spent a lot of time on the bench.
For many the most logical decision was to sell Di Maria, but not for Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez.
The Italian manager saw Ozil wasn’t giving 100%, while Di Maria showed great commitment and spirit of sacrifice at the start of the season. In fact, in La Liga’s game against Athletic Bilbao, the Argentinian started while the German didn’t play a single minute.
As Real Madrid’s assistant coach Zinedine Zidane put it: “Di Maria decided to fight, Ozil decided to leave”.
Ancelotti informed Perez about the situation and, when Arsenal’s offer arrived, the decision was pretty clear.
In his three years in Madrid, Ozil has shown that he is a magician with the ball, but his time at the club was blighted by irregular form. A more consistent Isco seems to have arrived to claim his spot.
As sad as Ozil’s goodbye might have been for many Real Madrid fans and even for his former team mates, have no doubts that it has been positive for the club, for the squad and for the good mood inside the changing room.
I completely agree with Zidane. Ozil maybe more skillful than Di Maria, but Di Maria plays with more passion and determination. Selling Ozil was actually the right thing, but it pains me a lot.
Selling of Ozil is nt a right thng 4 madrid becoz he is d best player in madrid apart 4rm CR7. Just made a gr8 mistake
Mesut ozil the great footballer at all time… Seeing mesut leaving the club was really painful but we have no choice than to admit. It pains m alot because, i dream of mesut for good five days which leads 2 peeved & foiled.