Paul Merson has explained why “world class” Mesut Ozil gets so much criticism.
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Merson, who has so readily joined in the chorus of Ozil criticism in the past, believes that it’s Ozil’s talent that puts him under greater scrutiny than anyone else.
The former Arsenal player admitted that Ozil was a world class player after his performance in the 2-0 win over Tottenham.
However, it’s that ability that makes Merson question why Ozil can’t be “eight out of 10” in the Premier League every week.
“Against Spurs he was unbelievable,” Merson said, as reported by the Daily Star.
“Different class. He’s a Rolls Royce player, and that’s why we all get the hump. You know that on his day he is one of the best players in the Premier League. That’s why he gets so much stick.
“A player from other mid-table teams won’t get stick for underperforming because they’re not world class players. But Ozil can be a world class player.
“This is a World Cup winner, a player that strolls into Germany’s team, who are one of the favourites to win the World Cup.
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“I’d go as far as saying he’s one of the first names on the team sheet for Germany. How can he not turn up and be eight out of 10 in the Premier League every week?”
If we’re being fair to Merson, he’s been consistent about his opinion on Ozil.
Back in 2016, he was calling him a high quality player but, like every other pundit in existence, slammed him for his work rate.
The wider narrative surrounding Ozil has always been that he’s a very talented player with a very low work ethic.
It was just one of the many narratives that were busted against Tottenham.
With the way people talk about him, you wouldn’t have thought Ozil was a high class player and a World Cup winner with Germany.
Even when he has a good performance, the response is to talk about what he hasn’t been doing in other games and what his flaws are, rather than his quality.
You just know that the next under-par performance from him will be greeted with an avalanche of criticism and the likes of Merson will be at the front of the cue.