The repercussions of the Gareth Bale to Real Madrid deal are becoming ever more apparent with each day the saga drags on. Be it transfers involving other clubs, or impacts on current squads, the Welshman will have a ripple effect on the transfer window.
There will inevitably be unnecessary casualties of the deal, and it seems one could be Mesut Özil. Madrid's German midfielder is being set up as collateral damage, but if the Spanish club had their priorities right they'd protect him with everything in their power. Since his arrival in Spain, the German has been a phenomenal success and there should be no reason to move him on. Be it a €100m Welshman, or not.
Özil's fee upon moving to Madrid was around €15m, peanuts in the current market of players moving off the back of one good season for north of €25m. The move at the time in 2010 was overshadowed somewhat by the arrival of Kaka, but by no means in a playing sense. Instead of shrinking in the environment of Madrid, Özil's status and class has swelled.
Now, perhaps Özil faces his toughest challenge. Carlo Ancelotti is asking questions about his playing style, Isco has arrived, and then there is of course Bale. That a player who has offered the club so much could remain still widely untrusted, not to mention undervalued, remains a mystery. There are problems with the defensive side of Özil's game, with Ancelotti declaring he would be working closely with the German to improve this aspect. The player managed just 0.9 tackles per game and 0.6 interceptions last season, amounts that won’t be accepted this term and especially so with Madrid accommodating one free role player in Cristiano Ronaldo. Özil’s been asked to pull his weight, and this could be the next dimensión his game needs. Fitness too has been a constant thorn in the side, and if there is more defensive commitment from the player in the future he’ll need to be at peak level to achieve this. Being hauled off with 20 minutes to go has become something of a running joke around the club.
These issues are far from the whole Özil package however. It's the ingenuity and approach [to football] that are the most prominent features of the 24-year-old's game. When told Özil had problems, and asked for his thoughts, Juan Roman Riquelme could only respond in one way; "The problem with Özil? That boy has too much class". Not a bad issue to contend with at all. 30 assists in the last two La Liga seasons alone, many of them through magnificent pieces of individual skill as that class prevailed.
Özil's style remains vital for Madrid in many senses, even with the arrival of Isco - a player that in terms of skill set is closest to the German. Özil brings forward a sense of familiarity however, and though this new era has begun at the club the experience and reliability he provides are essential. He's a player that has proved his worth time and time again, operating either from a wide berth with license to drift in or from a central position. His 2.9 key passes per game in two consecutive seasons - more than any other player at Madrid - show how influential he was from either berth. His ability to work from deep has also improved significantly, with the player able to link counter attacks in such a decisive manner.
With possession-play more prominent in Ancelotti's football, there has been a suggestion Özil could be out casted due to traits of his game such as direct running and movement off the ball - abilities more suited to counter attacking, apparently. But in a possession game he could prove vital too. Isco's game around the penalty area is one that needs steady improvement, in particular how he picks gaps against deep block defences. Özil is perfect for this, and with such a fine vision and judgement of the game there is no reason why he can't be incorporated into any new system. He created a chance more often than any other player in Europe's top 5 leagues last season (minimum 10 appearances), doing so every 22.1 minutes. In terms of clear cut chances, he was again leading the rankings with 24, also the most in Europe's top 5 leagues last season.
This brings us onto options, and for Madrid to stand a chance of claiming all the silverware on offer - the club won't demand any less given the money spent - it's essential a squad is built. Isco's hardly been consistent since emerging on the scene, and while capable of the spectacular isn't as functionally complete as Özil. If there was a sale, it's inevitable a time would come when Madrid require Özil's presence.
Sami Khedira, Casemiro (after an excellent pre-season), Asier Illarramendi, Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso can all occupy the deep roles. For the second line you can again include Modric, but leaving only Isco and Angel di Maria as your options seems to lack foresight. The latter could still be sold, and even if he stays a wide role would obviously be a better fit. There's a place for Özil here, having to justify or even debate so seems ludicrous given what he's offered since joining Madrid - and what he can still offer in the future. The club should really be looking at him as a player to build around.
If they're not, the Bale deal looks less and less appealing - without even considering the other players and system clashes.
It's Madrid's mistake to make if they push the German aside, and an even bigger one to sell him off. It’s when an Arsenal or Manchester United can capitalise, as Özil is a player of the absolute highest class and any team would be significantly improved with him - like Madrid, it should be the club looking to accommodate him at almost any cost.
Ask yourself if the player in Özil's position in your team is better? Unless you're a Barcelona or perhaps Bayern Munich fan, the answer is most likely to be a resounding no.
