Four German players who could step out of Mesut Ozil’s shadow
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Who could replace the Die Mannschaft star?
Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from the German national team.
The 29-year-old released a strongly worded statement citing ‘racism and disrespect’ for his decision.
Ozil’s of Turkish descent but grew up in the German town of Gelsenkirchen.
DFB president Reinhard Grindel was the butt of his anger though, after being criticised for posing for a photo with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
It’s a very bold move from the player who in 2010 received the Bambi Award for being a prime example of successful integration within German society.
However this leaves a huge hole in Die Mannschaft’s attacking line-up. The Coral News Team take a look at who could step up and replace their former talisman.
Leon Goretzka
Goretzka has just got his big move to Bayern Munich this summer. He has been a man on the lips of every Bundesliga fanatic since his 2013 move to Schalke.
He did make Jogi Low’s squad for Germany’s World Cup campaign this year.
But Goretzka’s transfer to the Bundesliga powerhouses could provide the platform for bigger things.
Already destined to be one of the team’s major players, he might directly replace Ozil as the number 10.
However, it’s more likely he’ll line-up either on the right side of an attacking three or drop back alongside Toni Kroos in central midfield.
Mario Gotze
Gotze was a surprise exclusion for many from Low’s World Cup squad.
The diminutive attacker scored the winning goal that crowned Germany world champions four years ago.
He’s suffered with injuries and personal matters since then, but this could be the opportunity for Gotze to come back into the fold.
Still only 26-years-old, he’s returned to Dortmund and is back in the team.
New BVB manager Lucien Favre will know his qualities very well and could be the man to get him firing again.
Julian Draxler
From the outside this seems like the most logical move from Low.
The Germany manager will be under pressure following a disappointing World Cup but has always put his trust in Draxler.
The PSG forward will seemingly get a lot of football this season with compatriot Thomas Tuchel now in charge of Les Parisiens.
How ever you look at it Ozil has left a giant void in the team but Draxler has the dynamic skill-set to step into the creative role.
He could finally land a starting spot for the national team and take the famous number 10 shirt.
Leroy Sane
Sane was the most talked about exclusion from the World Cup squad, especially from the British media.
He had just come off the back of a stand-out year in the Manchester City team that blitzed the Premier League but Low left him at home.
The young winger wouldn’t directly replace Ozil in the trequartista role but could be the searing pace they missed out wide.
Sane could play on the right of the attacking trio behind fellow speedster Timo Werner in attack.
His directness and eye for goal could be what Die Mannschaft are crying out for.
