Ballack Expresses Concern Over Özil’s Form Ahead of World Cup
With the 2014 FIFA World Cup just days away, former Germany captain Michael Ballack has voiced his concerns over the recent form of Mesut Özil. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Ballack acknowledged the midfielder’s technical abilities but questioned his current level of confidence and readiness heading into the tournament.
“I saw him play with the national team this weekend and I wasn’t surprised, nor scared, but a little concerned,” Ballack admitted. “Mesut Özil played well for Germany during the qualifying campaign, but in the last few months and since arriving at Arsenal, he hasn’t been the same player—especially in terms of confidence. That’s something we weren’t used to seeing in the national team.”
The comments come following Germany’s 2-2 draw with Cameroon in a recent warm-up match, a performance that left questions over the squad’s sharpness ahead of their Group G opener.
Özil, who joined Arsenal last summer in a high-profile transfer from Real Madrid, had a mixed debut season in the Premier League. While he contributed key assists and goals early on, his form dipped in the latter half of the campaign, drawing criticism from some quarters.
Ballack, who played for Chelsea and Germany with distinction, believes the weight of expectation may be affecting the 25-year-old: “He’s a fantastic player who still needs to find his role and take responsibility in the team. When he was criticized for his performances, he looked surprised and even lost. Arsenal is a big club, and a transfer like that can have a big impact. But sometimes it seems like it’s too much of a burden on him.”
Despite the concerns, Özil remains a central figure in Joachim Löw’s plans for Brazil. Germany face a challenging group featuring Portugal, Ghana, and the United States, and much will depend on whether the playmaker can rediscover his best form when it matters most.
