Ozil named "Best German" abroad

Mesut Ozil has been named the best “German abroad” by
magazine Kicker after his stunning campaign for Arsenal,
while Bayern Munich have dominated the rest of the awards.

The 27-year-old has racked up an incredible 16 assists
already this season in the Premier League, with his efforts
recognised in the publication’s biannual German football
rankings.

It ranks each player by position in the Bundesliga and also
includes German footballers who are playing in foreign
countries, dividing them into four categories: world class,
international class, players of note and players in focus.

Ozil was the only German export to be put in the
international class bracket, beating the likes of Toni Kroos,
Shkodran Mustafi, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami
Khedira.

“The midfield star just missed out on the world class
category due to his weak start to the season,” explained the
magazine.

On Ozil’s categorisation, Germany legend Lothar Matthaus
added: “[He's] too inconsistent. I expect even more from
him. Now and then, he hides and you can't see him just like
in the 4-0 defeat at Southampton.”

Meanwhile, Bayern cleaned up in the Bundesliga rankings,
with seven players being named the best in their position:

Manuel Neuer, Phillip Lahm, Jerome Boateng, Xabi Alonso,
Douglas Costa, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski.