The German legend is headed to Dublin next week so we spoke to him about the season so far and his upcoming gig here with Jamie Carragher.
JOE: We have to start with one of your former clubs Didi, Liverpool. Just four points behind the league leaders, are they genuine title contenders for you?
Didi Hamann: I don’t think so and I’d like to keep my feet on the floor. There are three teams ahead of Liverpool so while I would have a little glance to the top, I would be more focussed on the chase behind them. Anything higher than fourth is a bonus. They must not get carried away as finishing fourth is vital for the club moving forward.
JOE: Most Liverpool fans would have taken that at the start of the season, wouldn’t they?
DH: Absolutely. Look at the teams ahead of them and teams like Everton, Spurs and Manchester United, who all spent a lot of money too. A top four success would be a big, big success for Liverpool.
JOE: And what about Arsenal, can they stay in the title race?
DH: That defeat to Liverpool at Anfield was just one of those days. But I would be concerned with the difficult games coming up and the squad they have. It is pretty thin and they won’t get much of a chance to rotate. I’m not sure they have that belief and that quality. Walcott is a major, major loss for them.
JOE: Your compatriot Mesut Ozil has come in for a fair bit of stick. How have you judged his first season in the premier League?
DH: It is a different game in England. He hit the ground running and had an immediate impact. But when you spend so much money on a player you can have the odd bad game but not seven or eight. His form has tailed off dramatically. It’s a worry. He looks tired, laboured and I’m not sure how Arsenal can give him a break with so many games coming up.
JOE: Is there a worry in Germany about his form, with the World Cup looming?
DH: He is a part of that team but they have so many players there are others that are even more important than Ozil. They are not too concerned.
JOE: Speaking of Germany, Bayern Munich are set to face Ozil’s team this week. Do you give the Gunners any chance?
DH: There is always a chance and they showed it last year. But it will be a big, big ask. Whenever they had an injury, a player stepped in and they are a well-oiled machine. Pep took over a very good team and it seems he has made it better. Arsenal have to take something to Munich to have a shot but I think it is a step too far for them.
JOE: Another of your former teams, Manchester City, seem to have hit a little speed bump in recent games. How do you judge them at this point of the season?
DH: In the league I think they will be fine. I still fancy them to win the league come May. But Barcelona will be tough. As good as they are, Aguero still makes the difference and with Messi being back to his old self I favour Barca over two legs. Maybe if they play Toure as a second forward they have a better chance but if they play two up with Toure and Fernandinho in the middle then they could be in trouble.
JOE: And what about their cross-city rivals United and David Moyes?
DH: You can only make excuses for so long. Their form is good in the Champions League so I expect them to beat Olympiacos. Their best chance of getting into next year’s competition is to win it this year. I think fourth place is gone. I don’t think they have much of a chance of winning the Champions league but they have better chance of that than finishing fourth in the league.
I don’t know whether they should stay with the manager or change but something needs to be done.
JOE: They need at least five or six new players according to Roy Keane…
DH: The problem is getting some out! There are lengthy contracts, big contracts to clear first. Five players, top-class players, will cost you £25-40m each. Do they want to spend £200m? Do they have the money? But with the players they have, they should be doing a lot better.
JOE: Would you offer Wayne Rooney that reported new deal we have been hearing about?
DH: No, I certainly wouldn’t give him £300,000 a week.
JOE: You will be in Dublin next week (Olympia, February 27) with Jamie Carragher. Tell us about it...
DH: We want to relive the night in Istanbul in May in 2005. There will be a question and answer session and we’ll cover the game from our different points of view on the night. There will be some footage shown too. People stop me in the street all the time and thank me for what happened that night so it is nice to share the memories with so many people in Dublin.
I have been there a few times in recent years and we hope to make the talk as amazing as the night in 2005 was.
JOE: Sounds good. Thanks for your time Didi.
DH: No worries.
Limited tickets are available from http://www.5times.co/carra for the Olympia gig. 
