With news of Real Madrid suggesting that Mesut Ozil can leave the Santiago Bernabeu if Manchester United meet their £38m price-tag, we at Football Friends decided to dig into the Germany international’s statistics and compare them to the man who is fancied to replace him should he go – Gareth Bale.
With just a year between them – Bale 23 and Ozil 24 – the reported values of the two players, for me, don’t quite add up. While Bale is reportedly worth over £100m, Ozil’s price, as mentioned, is touted around £38m. Why?
Goals, that’s why.
Although both are traditionally attacking left-sided players, they perform at their best (in my opinion) in a central position. Bale scored 21 times in 33 Tottenham appearances last season, while Ozil hit just nine goals in 32 for Real Madrid. A huge difference, which not even his impeccable craft can make up for.
The German created a whopping 91 chances last season, just 16 short of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s tallies combined (107), whereas Bale sculpted 75.
Ozil also bettered the Wales international on shot accuracy (82% to 57%) and pass completion (84% – 78%).
However, with Isco and coming into the Madrid side, as well as Luka Modric who was already in the Spanish capital, the arrival of Gareth Bale may be the straw that breaks his back.
What do you think, Ozil or Bale?
all statistics provided by Squawka.
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