Joachim Löw explains cutting Leroy Sané from his World Cup squad | OneFootball

Germany boss Joachim Löw has explained why he isn’t taking Leroy Sané to the World Cup.

Löw dropped a huge shock at his press conference Monday when he cut down his 27-man squad to the final 23 who will be heading to Russia.

Bernd Leno, Jonathan Tah, and Nils Petersen were dropped as expected but Löw then dropped a bombshell on the assembled media.

Rather than omitting left-back Marvin Plattenhardt, Löw decided Leroy Sané would not be travelling with the world champions.

“That was a very close decision between him and Julian Brandt, which was made in favour of Brandt,” ” Löw explained.

“Draxler, Reus and Müller were definitely in.”

Sané is a more direct and cut-throat option than any player in the Germany squad but Löw opted for the player who better suits the team’s way of playing.

Though only Kevin De Bruyne (16) delivered more than Sané’s 15 assists in Europe’s top five leagues last season, the German has struggled on the international stage.

In 12 appearances for his country, the 22-year-old is yet to score and has set up just one goal.

“Leroy has a huge talent,” Löw added. “He will be back again from September. He had not delivered in international matches yet.

“It was a very close decision. If it was a 100 metre race, it would have been a photo finish.”

Germany kick-off their bid to retain the World Cup on 17th June against Mexico.

No nation has won the World Cup back-to-back occasions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.