Reigning world champions Germany have sensationally left out Manchester City star Leroy Sane from their 23-man squad for the World Cup in Russia.
Sane was in stunning form for City, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award. The 22-year old had played an integral part as Pep Guardiola’s team won the Premier League, finishing the season with a record 100 points. However, Joachim Low has deemed him surplus to requirements as Germany prepare to defend their title.
The final 23-man squad for the #WorldCup ??#DieMannschaft #ZSMMN pic.twitter.com/SOJa14wIOD
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 4, 2018
The four-time World Cup champions are going through a disastrous form, failing to win a single game since qualifying for the tournament with their most result being a 2-1 loss to Austria. While some shocking axing was on the cards, very few would have thought that Low would drop Sane.
Reports in Germany suggest that Sane failed to make the squad due to his poor international form. Low is said to be disappointed with the forward’s contrasting form for club and country. Sane notched 15 assists in the Premier League, bettered only by team-mate Kevin De Bruyne (16). However, he has failed to score and registered just one assist in his last 12 international games.
Apart from Sane, Germany have not included Bernd Leno, Jonathan Tah and Nils Petersen in the squad.
A big thank you for their efforts and commitment from Joachim #Löw to the four players who won't be going to Russia, @Bernd_Leno, @jonatah, @LeroySane19 and Nils #Petersen ?#DieMannschaft #ZSMMN pic.twitter.com/ANUjXgOV6Y
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 4, 2018
On the snub, Low said: “That was a very close decision between him and Julian Brandt, which was made in favour of Brandt.
“Draxler, Reus and Muller are set. Leroy has a huge talent.
“He will be back again from September. He had not arrived in international matches yet,” reasoned the long-serving Germany coach.
Germany will now face Saudi Arabia at the BayArena on Friday before beginning the title defence against Mexico with their Group F opener on June 17 in Moscow. They will also take on Sweden and South Korea in the group stage.