Arsenal and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has revealed a surprising prediction for England at Euro 2016, saying that the Three Lions - who have never won a European Championships knockout match on foreign soil - are among the favourites for the tournament.
Ozil has spent the last three years playing in the Premier League for Arsenal, seeing England's players week-in week-out, and was on the pitch for Germany when England roared back from 2-0 down to beat them 3-2 earlier this year.
.@MesutOzil1088 tells us why #eng can win #EURO2016 ...and he's not just being diplomatic! https://t.co/XDzOydNWk5
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Ozil said: "For me, England have improved a lot in the last few years. They have some interesting young players, good momentum from qualifying and certainly they have the ability to fight to get to the final.
"More than that is hard to say "? it is difficult to speak about who will win because the tournament is very open. But, for me, they are one of the favourites for the title "? and that's not just a diplomatic answer!"?
He added: "The level in attack for England with Kane, Vardy or Rooney has changed in recent games "? and the style of game they play is different compared to previous times,"? he says. "I would say the attack is very strong and especially Kane and Vardy have done well. But, of course, that was in friendlies and now we have to see how they perform in a tournament."?
Germany are among the favourites for the tournament though, two years after their World Cup triumph in Brazil, and Ozil continued: "We have to think that we can win. We have a big squad, big players and our dream is to be champions in France. But we know it will be tough. We have Poland, Ukraine and Northern Ireland in our group and that is a challenge."
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