Bukayo Saka surprised fans by choosing a former teammate over Harry Kane when asked about the best player he has ever played with.
Saka snubs Harry Kane
When Saka looks back at those early days in the senior squad, one name still stands out. He didn’t choose the candidates that were most obvious or the big English stars that people expected. Rather, he chose Mesut Ozil, the German genius whose creativity gave life to many situations at Arsenal.
Saka mentioned that it was like playing with Ozil was a natural and beautiful experience. He played like as if the game was slowed down around him. They did not play together for long, but their influence was already showing.
The young winger must have been very much impressed with those on-pitch experiences. The German had the fast touches, and the way he anticipates passes that no one else has thought of. What this really means is Saka values pure football IQ as much as power or pace.
Why Ozil still stands above the rest ?
Saka’s thoughts came during a casual chat on BBC Radio 5, but his answer carried weight. He didn’t hesitate. He described Ozil as high quality and spoke about him with a sense of admiration that felt genuine. You can tell those memories stuck with him.
The Englishman is a player who has played alongside big names for both club and country. But, his choice reveals a lot about the moments which make up a player’s path through the world of sports. It is not always trophies or headlines. Very often, it’s the coach who made you see a different standard in your game.
Meanwhile, Ozil was this kind of coach for a lot of young players at Arsenal. The words of Saka show that the impact is still there. This is even long after the German player left from North London.
Author’s opinion:
Saka’s pick makes sense. Some players stay with you not because of hype, but because of how they shape your game. Ozil was that kind of figure, and Saka’s respect for him feels earned, not nostalgic.
As featured on GoonerNews.com