Mike Dean wrote:Let me explain how idiotic Sallenhi and Emery's decision to not play Ozil to force him to leave is....
If Ozil was still playing for the German national team, he would think twice about it, and keeping his spot on the national team. But he is not! He can easily sit back and say that's fine, dont pick me, I will gladly keep collecting the checks, while you come out looking like idiots. And that's exactly what him and his agent will do. If it comes down to battle of attrition, Ozil has nothing to lose. He is getting paid one way or another.
Sallenhi and Emery are also hurting themselves in winning/financial terms. You dont need to play Ozil all the games but there a number of games where he can be instrumental in wins because of his creativity. We are severely lacking in creativity. It is better to play Ozil to secure some of those wins and possibly secure a 4th place finish, than not play him at all, miss out completely on top 4, AND lose out on CL money! You have to give yourself a chance at least. But their current course might have them paying Ozil to sit on the bench and losing out the CL money which they can spend.
The management is seriously shooting themselves in the foot with this bizarre decision. Mlisntat leaving makes it even worse.
I agree with most of that. However I do think Ozil has something to lose. He's losing sharpness, he's losing form, and losing game fitness, not to mention time in general as his career is on the down slope. Plus, if he is indeed going to be sold, he would want to play as much as possible so that any potential buyers can see that he still can play good enough. I think it's hurting him just as much tbh. We only assume that athletes want to sit on the bench and just collect checks. I'm sure there are some out there like that, but if his agent is any good, he would want his client to be playing as much as possible.