Given Germany's abundance of talented players, a few quality footballers were expected to miss out on the World Cup squad. However, Joachim Low has shocked many with his latest omission from the list of men headed to Russia.
With the national team boss naming his final 23-man team, the 58-year-old has raised several eyebrows by axing Leroy Sane for the list. This decision comes on the back of the attacker's excellent season in England.
The former Schalke ace was instrumental in Man City's record-breaking Premier League campaign in which they became the first side in the competition's history to reach the 100-points mark. Furthermore, the 22-year-old notched up 12 goals and 15 assists last season but was nonetheless deemed surplus to requirement.
He enjoyed a stellar 2017/18 campaign and was thus named the PFA Young Player of the Year, but was snubbed in favor of Julian Brandt. Marco Reus, who sadly missed out on the 2014 edition in Brazil due to an injury, and Julian Draxler were also included ahead of the Citizens starlet.
This decision quickly became a hot topic on social media, with many taking to Twitter to debate Sane's exclusion. While many argued that a player of his caliber should not have been overlooked, others were in favor of Low's surprising choice.
Sané not in German World Cup squad? Well ok then.. good luck
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) June 4, 2018
Leroy Sané this season - 14 goals & 17 assists in 49 games.
— bet365 (@bet365) June 4, 2018
Julian Draxler, Marco Reus & Julian Brandt combined this season: 25 goals & 18 assists in 110 games. pic.twitter.com/s4579sR4m0
Sane hasn't played very well for the national team.
— Gary = (@garyalsmith) June 4, 2018
Struggling to recall when he had a superb game for them.
Löw also complained that some players aren't following instructions. Looks like Leroy may have been one.
There is no explanation that can justify Leroy Sane being dropped. Joachim low is a fool.
— El Che (@SegunEmdin) June 4, 2018
Mad that Sane has not made the Germany squad but I'm not gonna doubt their thinking...
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) June 4, 2018
Record at last 9 World Cups:
2014 Winners
2010 & 2006 3rd
2002 Runners-up
1998 & 94 Quarters
1990 Winners
1982 & 86 Runners-up
Leroy Sane this season:
— Transfer Talk (@EPLBible) June 4, 2018
49 Games
14 Goals
15 Assists
Premier League
League Cup
PFA Young Player of the Year
NOT selected in Germany's 23-man World Cup squad. pic.twitter.com/CDbFcLIF9X
Must be some World Cup squad Germany have got if they can leave out Leroy Sane.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) June 4, 2018
Wasn't expecting a key role for Leroy Sane with Germany this summer—it was already clear he hadn't fully convinced Joachim Low—but to leave him out altogether? Wow.
— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) June 4, 2018
It's so hard to see young player like Sane not getting an opportunity to represent his country at the world cup. After a world class season, Leroey Sane should have been in Germany's squad. I think Joachim Low went for experience in Marco Reus. pic.twitter.com/72MBBzm5QT
— KroosT8 (@KroosT8) June 4, 2018
Sané dropped is surprising but understandable. He never succeeded to bring his club performances into the national team and he doesn't really fit in Löw's system. The last 3/4 friendlies showed that + Reus back, who is a big Jogi favourite made it even harder. Great player still! pic.twitter.com/BlwDu3jiS5
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 4, 2018
Germany final squad. Sané out of it, now that's surprising pic.twitter.com/B8wjDQmtnt
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) June 4, 2018
0 - In 12 games for Germany, Leroy #Sane provided just one assist (zero goals). Dropped. #WC2018 pic.twitter.com/UD8lJTYovT
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) June 4, 2018
Can't believe there is any country at the World Cup that could afford to leave Leroy Sane out. Germany included
— James Robson (@JamesRobsonMEN) June 4, 2018
The die Mannschaft boss sat in front of the media for a press conference shortly after announcing his final squad. Here he confirmed that Leroy's absence is due to tactical reasons, as he has yet to impress on the international stage.
"That was a very close decision between him and Julian Brandt, which was made in favor of Brandt,' Low said in his press conference.
"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.
"If it was a 100m race, it would have been a photo finish."
Bernd Leno, Nils Peterson, and Jonathan Tah were the other players to be left home. Meanwhile, Manuel Neuer was included and was also handed the no.1 jersey, which suggests that he will be the main man in between the sticks.