Former Spurs midfielder Graeme Souness has taken a break from blasting Paul Pogba to have a dig at Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.
Souness doesn’t seem to be a big fan of technique or flair, seemingly beleiving that football matches are generally decided by WHO WANTS IT MORE!
But his analysis of Ozil is not without merit. Souness’s simple point was that the ex-Germany international does not work hard enough, especially out of possession.
Souness used a quote from legendary Tottenham manager Bill Nicholson to hammer home said point.
Speaking on Sky Sports from his home, which includes some lovely background artwork, Souness recalled: “Bill Nicholson was talking, not to me specifically, at Spurs when I was 15 or 16. He was talking about what midfield players do.
“And he said: ‘Watch Ray Bunkell and watch him when we lose the ball. He sprints back quicker than he sprints forward.’
“And that stuck with me for the rest of my career. And I know Ozil is a No.10 or sometimes a striker, but when he loses the ball there is just a general disinterest to do the hard yards.”
Now, I’m not one to defend an Arsenal player or side against Billy Nic, but Ray Bunkell didn’t progress from the Spurs reserves, going on to play instead for Swindon and Colchester. Meanwhile, Ozil has won a World Cup and starred for Real Madrid.
But I guess Souness is trying to say that Ozil could be much better and has not ever peaked due to a lack of desire.
Oh well!
Spurs team of the fifties and sixties had some great sayings, eg, “when not in possession (of the ball) get in position. Would love to have seen Bill dealing with Aurier.