Chelsea Transfer News: Shock Mesut Ozil Rumours Hint at Arsenal Exit

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is "plotting a move" for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, according to Spanish publication Fichajes (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star).

Despite the transfer seeming extremely unlikely, Anderson's report suggests Mourinho has "expressed interest" in landing the man he once signed for Real Madrid. Ozil is a divisive player—loved for his creativity when on form, loathed for a supposed lack of commitment when struggling—but he remains key to the Gunners' success.

Arsene Wenger spent £42.5 million on the German in 2013. Ozil's value has likely dropped since then due to inconsistent form and injuries, but he is the type of world-class star Arsenal need to return to Premier League glory. His signing, alongside that of Alexis Sanchez, underlines the club's willingness to attract the best now the Emirates Stadium has been paid off.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, Wenger has a history of selling players to rival clubs. A one-way ticket from north London to Manchester City has existed, with Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna all heading directly to the Etihad Stadium. Robin van Persie also fired Manchester United to the title after departing.

One has to question whether Mourinho needs Ozil in his current lineup, though. The Portuguese boss has drilled his Chelsea team to work as a unit whether it is sweeping forward to attack or falling into formation to defend. Ozil isn't lazy in the sense that he doesn't run, but he often fails to put in meaningful yards when inside his own half.

As we saw during Chelsea's win over United on Saturday, current playmaker Cesc Fabregas is more than capable of effectively working behind the halfway line. He pressured Ander Herrera into making sloppy mistakes in the second half, settling into a more combative role than we've often seen this season. Ozil needs to be stationed just behind the striker to get the best out of him.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Mourinho acknowledged Ozil's style back in 2014, per Yahoo (h/t Simeon Gholam of the MailOnline):

"

I think it's hard to criticize him, because Ozil is Ozil. If you were expecting Ozil to be super aggressive and to be running miles and miles from side to side and to show great enthusiasm and aggressiveness, this is not Mesut.

If you are waiting for somebody where every time he touches the ball, the ball smiles. Every time he makes a pass, the ball goes with the right direction, the right speed, the right intensity, this is Ozil.

"

B/R UK's Garry Hayes recently discussed Fabregas and whether changes need to be made:

Mourinho is ambitious enough to hunt rival players, as seen with his attempt to pluck Wayne Rooney from United. His previous relationship with Ozil lends extra weight to the rumours, but Arsenal fans would likely never forgive Wenger if he let the former Werder Bremen star leave for a fellow London club.

The manager needs to keep his best players if he's ever going to lift the Premier League trophy again. He has conceded ground with every high-profile sale to another English club, something which can no longer happen now Arsenal have funds to spend.