Tottenham great Glenn Hoddle admits he was a big fan of Mesut Ozil in his first years at Arsenal - and believes he's spotted why his career has fallen away so quickly in recent years.
It's emerged in recent days that Ozil could be on the move before his contract expires at the end of this season. Fenerbahce president Ali Koc has confirmed talks with the former Germany international and delivered an upbeat message on the prospect of signing the player.
Ozil hasn't seen any competitive football since before the end of last season after manager Mikel Arteta chose not to register the midfielder for the first-half of this campaign for both the Premier League and Europa League.
Watching on has been Hoddle, who admits he was a big fan of the younger version of Ozil, particularly playing for Germany and Real Madrid.
Hoddle said on his podcast, 'The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show': "I loved him. When he was playing for Germany and just as he was coming over from Madrid, I thought he was a wonderful player. He had the energy. He looked to stretch teams. He looked to run behind. To get the ball to feet. He always wanted the ball, he was always available.
"Played with his head up. Saw pictures other players didn't. I thought he was a wonderful talent."
But in recent years at Arsenal, Hoddle admits he's been surprised by Ozil's slide - and can't explain why it's gone downhill so rapidly for the midfield schemer.
He continued: "Something's happened to him. I don't know if it's fitness. I don't know if it's his desire to play anymore."
Though tellingly, Hoddle also observed: "He only wants to play with the ball at his feet - and I think that was the problem.
"It has been for the last two or three years. He's a lovely, neat footballer, but I'm not sure wants to put in the hard side of the game. I just don't think he wants to hurt himself anymore. Or push himself anymore.
"It's a shame. But I think he will move and I think it's right for him and right for Arsenal.
"But four or five years ago... wow, he was some talent and as good as anyone in the world."
Listen to this week's full episode of 'The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show' - a Tribal Football partner - below:
Click here to visit the full archive of 'The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show'.
