Mats Hummels has told Leroy Sane he cannot expect to be held in similar regard to the likes of Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil just yet after he was surprisingly left out of the World Cup squad.
Sane enjoyed arguably the best campaign of his fledgling career in 2017-18, scoring 10 goals and setting up another 15 as he helped Manchester City win the Premier League title.
His form was recognised in the end-of-season awards, as he was named the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Young Player of the Year, while he was also nominated for the Players’ Player of the Year individual gong.
But his form in a Germany shirt has been poor and he didnt make it to German squad for Russia.
And, despite the criticism, Hummels has backed his manager, insisting Sane is not as important to the team as Muller and Ozil, before going on to criticise Germany’s younger generation.
“Leroy Sane has not the same standing as Thomas Muller or Mesut Ozil,” Hummels told reporters. “Sometimes it takes time to have the same standing in the national team as in your club.