Monday, January 18, 2021
Puzzle about the sporting value
Ozil brings salvation to life in Istanbul
Sorted out at Arsenal FC, courted at Fenerbahce Istanbul: Mesut Özil may soon be playing football again. In his parents' homeland, Turkey, the ex-national player signs a contract and enthuses the whole country. The 32-year-old is correspondingly self-confident.
When Mesut Özil had held the Fenerbahce Istanbul fan scarf long enough in front of the lenses of the press photographers, the 2014 world champion went into quarantine for the first time. What remained was the exciting question of whether the 32-year-old could be a sporting reinforcement for the traditional club from the Bosporus after his long break at Arsenal.
In any case, logistically everything has already been prepared for a successful restart. After the six-day quarantine, Özil will wear a yellow jersey with the number 67 on his back with the "canaries". This number stands for the province of Zonguldak on the Black Sea, from which Özil's parents once emigrated to Germany. In any case, the former German national player assessed his current fitness level positively. "I always trained with the first team in London. Yes, I haven't played for a long time, but I'm physically fit, there is no problem," said Özil at Ataturk Airport in the spotlight of the TV cameras.
Özil had previously officially confirmed his change live on Turkish television. "God gave me the chance to wear the Fenerbahce shirt," said the former Real Madrid star in a TV channel. "I'm very happy, very excited," said Özil, who tweeted two hearts in the club colors yellow and blue. He will wear the club's jersey "with pride and give everything for the team". The Fener fans hope that Özil will do his part so that after a seven-year break, the championship will return to the prestigious Istanbul club.
"Özil football brand"
The Turkish media were thrilled with the spectacular transfer. "The football brand Özil is the fulfillment of a dream for Fenerbahce", was the headline of "Milliyet". And even with the attacking midfielder's new employer, one seems to assume a long-term cooperation. Because according to consistent media reports, the contract with the new hope will be valid until 2024 and endowed with a total of 14 million euros. An immense leap of faith for Özil, who last played for Arsenal in March last year in the Premier League.
The separation from the Gunners after seven and a half years in the British capital is also a private new beginning for Özil. His wife Amine Gülse and daughter Eda accompanied him to the Bosporus metropolis in the private jet of Fenerbahce President Ali Koc. After all: his future teammates have also laid a good sporting basis for their new prominent teammate. In the Süper Lig, the 19-time Turkish champions are second behind Besiktas on the Champions League course. Which cannot be said of Arsenal. As eleventh in the Premier League, even qualifying for the Europa League wobbles considerably. But despite this misery, Özil did not play a role in the current team manager Mikel Arteta either. The club was rather happy to finally be able to remove its high earner from its payroll.
.