- German announces their final 23-man squad
- Winger Leroy Sane left out of the final squad
- Captain Manuel Neuer will their first choice keeper at the tournament
German winger, Leroy Sane has been left out of Germany’s final 23-man squad announced by the manager Joachim Low. Low left out Sane in favor of Bayer Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt.
Sané who was named Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year last season, however, failed to make the cut when the final team was announced on Monday morning. Also, Sane was an integral part of Manchester City's record-breaking title win.
Absolutely shocked that Germany have left Leroy Sané out of their World Cup squad! One of the best players in the Premier League this season. In my opinion he should be walking in to any national team! pic.twitter.com/hpGCPLkMPO
— Futbol Agent (@Futbol_Agent_) June 4, 2018
Sané was disappointing in Germany's 2-1 friendly defeat against Austria and Löw still has Julian Draxler, Marco Reus, and Brandt who can play on the left of their attack.
Sané, goalkeeper Bernd Leno, forward Nils Petersen and defender Jonathan Tah were the four players that failed to make the cut.
Manuel Neuer, captain as well as goalkeeper of the team, who won the World Cup four years ago, will be their first choice keeper for the tournament, ahead of designated number two Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp.
Here’s the list of Germany’s final 23-man squad to Russia.
| Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
| Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Paris St Germain) | Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Antonio Ruediger (Chelsea), Niklas Suele (Bayern Munich) | Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris St Germain), Leon Goretzka (Schalke 04), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) | Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez (VfB Stuttgart) |
Low explained: 'That was a very close decision between him and Julian Brandt, which was made in favor of Brandt. Draxler, Reus, and Muller are set.'
'Leroy is a huge talent. He will be back again from September. He had not arrived in international matches yet. It was a very close decision. If it was a 100-meter race, it would have been a photo finish.'
He continued: There are certainly easier days in the life of a national team head coach than the day where I have to send four payers home.
'These are four players who had merited their place in the provisional squad through their performances ‘I spoke to the four players and the disappointment was huge, as you would expect.'
'It’s as if you are stood at the check-in desk for your flight to Moscow, but are then prevented from boarding.'
