Former Germany captain Michael Ballack fears Arsenal have ruined Mesut Ozil
Posted Wednesday, June 04, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk
MICHAEL BALLACK fears Arsenal have ruined Germany star Mesut Ozil.
GUNNED DOWN: Ballack blames Arsenal for 'ruining' Ozil
The £42.5m midfielder has gone off the boil since making a club-record switch from Real Madrid in September.
He disappointed again in a 2-2 draw with Cameroon on Sunday and ex-Germany skipper Ballack believes Ozil is not be in the right state of mind to take on the world's best in Brazil.
"It's difficult to say where his head is going to be at the World Cup," said former Chelsea star Ballack.
"I saw him play for the national team at the weekend and I was not surprised, not scared, but a little bit concerned, by his performances.
"He has done well for Germany and he played well during the qualifying campaign but in the last few months - since his move to Arsenal - he has not been the same player, in terms of his confidence, that we used to see in the national team.
NOT A LEADER: Ballack says Ozil is not a leadership figure in the German dressing room
"I don't know whether the Arsenal move has affected him because he was untouchable and in Germany we still expect him to be one of our best players.
"But he is not a leader on the pitch like a captain. He is now at an age where he is no longer a young talent or a promising player.
"He is a fantastic player who still has to find his role and his responsibility for the team. When he was criticised for his performances, he looked surprised, he looked lost.
"As one of our best players he has to take more responsibility, and we expect more from him at the moment. Hopefully, when the World Cup starts, we will see a different player.
"Arsenal is such a big club and a move like that can make a big impact. But sometimes he looks as if he carries too much on his shoulders."
Germany haven't won the World Cup since 1990 and face a tough start against Portugal on June 16.
Joachim Low's men then face Ghana and USA in Group G.
STAND UP: the former Germany captain wants more from Ozil
While Ozil is struggling, Ballack - speaking at the premiere of the new Beats by Dre World Cup advert - believes his old Blues team-mate Frank Lampard can have a more positive influence for England.
He added: "These kind of players are important. It doesn't matter which role or how often they play, they have to accept the role.
"It's all about communication. In the team, everyone has to know his job or have to know exactly what the coach expects of them.
"Sometimes you are more important in the dressing room than on the pitch for the team or for the spirit.
"Frank is not just there for the spirit because he's a great player. Maybe he's not the same as he was five years ago but that's normal.
"He's getting older and things change but he's still important for the team and the balance of the team."
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