Former Arsenal misfit Mesut Ozil is EXCLUDED from the Fenerbahce squad indefinitely after being deemed ‘physically incompetent’ in their last game… as the club release cryptic statement but insist they WILL make the reason public
- Mesut Ozil has made 37 appearances for Fenerbahce after joining from Arsenal
- He was taken off at half-time during their win against Konyaspor at the weekend
- Turkish outlet Aksam claim he was deemed ‘physically incompetent’ in match
- Ex-Germany midfielder only returned earlier this month from lower back injury
Mesut Ozil has been excluded from Fenerbahce’s squad indefinitely after reports he performed at a ‘physically inadequate’ level in their last game.
The 33-year-old former Germany international has made 37 appearances for the Turkish giants since joining from Arsenal in January last year.
But a cryptic statement on the club’s official Twitter account confirmed the former Real Madrid star has been excluded from Ismail Kartal’s squad along with Ozan Tufan, who was on loan at Watford last season.
Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has been excluded from Fenerbahce’s squad indefinitely
The 33-year-old German only joined Fenerbahce in January last year after leaving Arsenal
‘Our Football A Team players Mesut Özil and Ozan Tufan were excluded from the squad as per the decision taken. It is announced to the public,’ a statement read.
The club revealed they will make the reason behind the decision public in due course, but Ozil was withdrawn at half-time in Fenerbahce’s 2-1 win against Konyaspor at the weekend.
And according to Turkish outlet Aksam, Ozil was deemed ‘physically incompetent’ and struggled to keep up with the high intensity level of the match.
The 92-cap ex-Germany midfielder missed eight Fenerbahce games at the start of this year due to a lower back problem.
But the club confirmed in a statement he and Ozan Tufan (above) have been excluded
Reports in Turkey suggest boss Ismail Kartal has decided to strip Ozil of the No 10 jersey
However, the report claims the club fear the injury has set Ozil further back physically, and he was replaced after playing at a ‘low tempo’ in the first half, according to Milliyet via Aksam.
The report adds Ozil’s situation was discussed by Kartal’s staff, who came to the decision the remaining weeks of the season would be very difficult for both parties if he continued to play.
They report Kartal has therefore decided to take the No 10 shirt off the star player, agreeing with his staff that Ozil would be unable to cope with higher-tempo fixtures.
Milliyet also report fellow midfielder Mert Hakan Yandas will take Ozil’s spot in the starting XI until the end of the season.
Ozil has scored nine goals this season for Fenerbahce, with eight of them coming in the Turksih Super Lig for the side sat third in the table.
Fellow midfielder Mert Hakan Yandas is set to take Ozil’s spot in the starting XI until May
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