Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Mesut_%C3%96zil.jpg
Coming off a World Cup championship, German superstar Mesut Ozil will be the driving force in the midfield of an International Powerhouse looking to assert total dominance over Europe. Known for his vision, accuracy, and ability to control the game, the “assist-king” will look to translate these skills into creating scoring opportunities for a German side teeming with offensive power. Ozil’s success in exposing the gaps in defenses will be a key factor for Germany in making a deep run in the tournament. On top of simply craving a victory of some sort after another probable fourth place finish in the English Premier League, Ozil has begun stirring doubt about his future as an Arsenal Gunner by stating he will not negotiate the terms of his current contract until it expires in two years. A player of his caliber is bound to be looking for either a substantial increase in pay or transfer to another powerhouse club that has a better shot of winning trophies, but whatever the reason may be he will begin building his case this summer in France.
Other Players:
Starters:
Forwards: Zlatan Ibrahimović
Midfielders: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Dimitri Payet, Robbie Keane, Arda Turan
Defenders: Jordi Alba, Vlad Chiricheș, Ashley Williams, Taulant Xhaka
Goalkeeper: The Gianluigi Buffon
Substitutes:
Forwards: Eden Hazard, Jakub Błaszczykowski
Midfielders: Yevhen Konoplyanka, Gökhan Inler, James Milner, Balázs Dzsudzsák
References:
Benge, James. “Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: Mesut Ozil is like a musician who always plays the right notes.” The Evening Standard. 10 December 2015. http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-boss-arsene-wenger-mesut-ozil-is-like-a-musician-who-always-plays-the-right-notes-a3134761.html (accessed on 28 April 2016)
“Mesut Ozil lifts lid on his Arsenal contract situation.” The Sport Review. 9 April 2016. http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2016/04/mesut-ozil-lifts-lid-on-his-arsenal-contract-situation/ (accessed on 28 April 2016)
Written By: Austin Tran and Chris Arora
How to cite this article: “Euro 2016 Key Players to Watch” Written by Austin Tran and Chris Arora (2016), European Cup 2016 Guide, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/european-cup-2016-guide/ (accessed on (date)).
