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Mesut Özil, generation’s best playmaker.
a thread;
a thread;
- In this thread I will be giving reasons as to why Özil is this generation’s best playmaker.
- Throughout this thread I will be comparing Özil to other great playmakers such as Messi, De Bruyne, and Silva, as they are the most popular names in this category.
- Throughout this thread I will be comparing Özil to other great playmakers such as Messi, De Bruyne, and Silva, as they are the most popular names in this category.
- I will be using statistics to provide context, however, it is known that football is not played on a calculator.
- It is important to note that all playmakers are more than quantifiable, but since that applies for everyone, it becomes a consistency amongst them all.
- It is important to note that all playmakers are more than quantifiable, but since that applies for everyone, it becomes a consistency amongst them all.
- Goals and assists will come from transfermarkt. Despite them taking into account things as penalties won, rebounded shots, etc, it is once again an inconsistency spread out amongst all players evenly, making it a consistency.
- Stats such as Key Passes come from WhoScored.
- Stats such as Key Passes come from WhoScored.
To start, we will talk about the basic statistics.
Mesut Özil:
553 games
111 goals (0.20)
256 assists (0.46)
A world class return for an “inconsistent” performer.
Mesut Özil:553 games
111 goals (0.20)
256 assists (0.46)
A world class return for an “inconsistent” performer.
Özil isn’t known to be a goal scorer, after all it isn’t a playmaker’s job.
So instead, we’ll put his assists into comparison with other popular playmakers.
(Stats are from Europe’s top 5 leagues.)
So instead, we’ll put his assists into comparison with other popular playmakers.
(Stats are from Europe’s top 5 leagues.)
(For you Messi fanboys, I am not debating Özil and Messi as players, Messi is undoubtedly clear. However, I am saying Özil is the better playmaker.)
Despite Messi having more assists and De Bruyne having the better ratio, Özil has the best balance between them.
Özil has done exceptionally well to keep his assists p90 ratio up with the likes of Messi and De Bruyne, despite being called “inconsistent” throughout his career.
Özil has done exceptionally well to keep his assists p90 ratio up with the likes of Messi and De Bruyne, despite being called “inconsistent” throughout his career.
Now you may argue football is more than assists, which it is.
However, all 4 of these players show more than what their numbers show - and if you decide to take that route then no thread will ever be of help to you.
But to help, we can use key passes.
However, all 4 of these players show more than what their numbers show - and if you decide to take that route then no thread will ever be of help to you.
But to help, we can use key passes.
Key passes tend to be the second most accurate way of depicting playmakers, just behind xA. This can not be used for Özil’s entire career since its only been available since 2015.
You could argue but chances created is not accurate, but I’ll leave you with this.
You could argue but chances created is not accurate, but I’ll leave you with this.
As you can tell from the two pictures above, the big chances created (bcc) list features more forwards and attacking minded players (final ball players).
On the other hand, the key passes list features more natural playmakers.
Note, this is no coincidence.
On the other hand, the key passes list features more natural playmakers.
Note, this is no coincidence.
Using key passes this time, we can compare the same 4 players as before.
(Stats are from top 5 leagues only.)
(Stats are from top 5 leagues only.)
After seeing both the assists chart and key passes chart, Özil seems to be the overall playmaker with De Bruyne just behind.
It gets even better when you consider the competition has played at a super club for longer just 3 years. Some for 6+ and some for their careers.
It gets even better when you consider the competition has played at a super club for longer just 3 years. Some for 6+ and some for their careers.
Now that we’ve objectively settled Özil is the better creator compared to his main competition, let’s take a look at his individual accomplishments that came through his generational playmaking ability.
Özil has been top assister in Germany (09/10), Spain (10/11 and 11/12), and in England (15/16).
This feat makes Özil the only player ever to either be top scorer or top assister in 3 of Europe’s top 5 leagues, beating the likes of Cristiano, Ibrahimovic, and Di Maria.
This feat makes Özil the only player ever to either be top scorer or top assister in 3 of Europe’s top 5 leagues, beating the likes of Cristiano, Ibrahimovic, and Di Maria.
Mesut Özil started every game during his World Cup campaign in 2014, where the German lifted the world’s most famous trophy.
Özil also helped Germany by registering 3 assists in the 2012 EURO’s (joint top), saving him a spot in the 23-man Team of the Tournament.
Özil also helped Germany by registering 3 assists in the 2012 EURO’s (joint top), saving him a spot in the 23-man Team of the Tournament.
Following this tournament, Mesut had a place in both 2012 and 2013 UEFA TOTY’s, a great feat alongside footballing legends such as: Ronaldo, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Pirlo, and many others.
In 2012, Mesut Özil placed 10th in UEFA’s ‘best player in Europe’ award, just behind football’s greatest.
To this day, Mesut Özil holds records such as:
- Most chances in a CL game
- Most chances in a PL game
- Most chances in a PL season
- Most consecutive PL games with an assist
- Most assists in a calendar year
- Most PL goals for a German
- Most PL assists for a German
- Most chances in a CL game
- Most chances in a PL game
- Most chances in a PL season
- Most consecutive PL games with an assist
- Most assists in a calendar year
- Most PL goals for a German
- Most PL assists for a German
Another record Mesut Özil holds is for the most German ‘Player of the Year’ awards (5 — 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016).
With all the proof I’ve shown you today, Mesut Özil should be considered this generation’s best playmaker.
After all, he has the most goal involvements for any attacking midfielder since 1994.
After all, he has the most goal involvements for any attacking midfielder since 1994.
Lastly, as an Arsenal fan, thank you for all the memories.
You will forever be my most favourite player to watch.
You will forever be my most favourite player to watch.
