Mesut Ozil has been named as the joint top performing attacking midfielder in Europe this calendar year, alongside Chelsea man Eden Hazard, after a study by the CIES Football Observatory in association with Opta.
Arsenal’s record signing has received some negative press in recent months despite many onlookers satisfied with the performances the former Real Madrid man is producing.
Ozil’s languid style may infuriate many, but few can match his efficiency in possession of the ball and the list, which doesn’t take into account goals or assist, shows exactly that.
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Check the list of the top five attacking midfielders below.
=1) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The Belgian wizard was given a rating of 100 by CIES after a sensational 2015 so far, where Hazard is looking to help seal a first league title for the Blues since 2010. His sensational performance against Hull City has been the catalyst for a sensational few months for Chelsea’s No.10.
=1) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s £42.4m was put level on points with Hazard at the top of the list and since returning from his knee injury in January, Ozil is arguably in the best form he’s been in since his move to the Emirates Stadium. It seems as though the gifted German will forever be written-off due to his body language despite producing some wonderful displays of late.
3 – Jesus Navas (Man City)
Navas has been restored to the Man City starting XI by Manuel Pellegrini since the turn of the year and is statistically producing the goods for a stuttering side, as the champions look to retain their top four place.
4. Kevin de Bruyne (Wolfsburg)
Judging by his performances in recent months, Chelsea may have made a massive mistake letting De Bruyne go with his explosive efficiency attracting the interest of Manchester City and Barcelona (via Daily Mail).
According to Squawka, De Bruyne has registered 16 assists this season. No player in Europe’s top five league has registered more.
5. Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)
Kagawa has been reinvigorated since returning to the Westfalenstadion where he enjoyed a trophy laden few years between 2010-2012. Despite the improvement on the performances many in England witnessed on a weekly basis, the Japanese playmaker has struggled to replicate his first stint at the German club. What is it they say about never going back?