The FIFA World Cup 201 is set to kick off in Russia on Thursday and defending champions Germany are amongst the favourites to win the title.
While Brazil is the unanimous favourite to win the tournament for the first time since 2002 but many people are putting their money on the holders.
Germany manager Joachim Low has more or less made up his mind on what will be his first eleven and we can safely say that the duo of Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan will be deployed at the heart of the midfield.
Gundogan was one of the key figures in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad while Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has been a mainstay for the German national team for quite some time now.
But according to former German winger Mario Basler, reputations should not mean anything and Joachim Low must consider dropping Mesut Ozil from his first eleven.
Basler said: “Ozil is overrated. Even if he plays another 100 internationals. To me, he’s a follower.
“He has extraordinary abilities, of course. But in big games, he doesn’t put them on the pitch.
“If they (Gundogan and Ozil) are both in the first World Cup match of the German team, Jogi Low must respond. He should replace and not let them play, otherwise, he’s putting the major honour in jeopardy.”
Mesut Ozil played 26 Premier League games for Arsenal in the 2017-18 season – scoring 4 goals and providing 8 assists.
Germany have been drawn in Group F alongside Mexico, South Korea and Sweden and the Mannschaft kick off their campaign on Sunday when they take on Mexico.
