Manchester City forward Leroy Sane, who has been on international duty for Germany, has left the national squad for “private reasons” and will not be available for Germany’s friendly against Peru on Sunday. Reports say Sane abandoned his UEFA Nations League duties to attend the birth of his child.
Leroy Sane has blossomed into one of the most promising talents of his generation. The lanky forward has enjoyed an unforgettable double-winning season under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The German winger has improved leaps and bounds and was one of the most influential players in the City squad last season.
What has been most impressive though, is the consistency with which Sane has delivered this season. He sits pretty on second in the assists charts in the toughest league in the world, only behind the inimitable Kevin de Bruyne. That means he has provided more goals than the maestro David Silva.
Germany announced the news on their official Twitter account. Issued on Friday, the statement read, “Leroy Sane has left the team hotel in Munich for private reasons after discussing it with coach Joachim Loew.”
Following discussions with head coach Joachim Löw, @LeroySane19 has left the team hotel in Munich for private reasons and will not be available for #GERPER. #DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/rCgnqeHhIc
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) September 7, 2018
The 22-year-old forward was excluded from Germany’s final squad for the World Cup despite having been voted as the best young player in the Premier League last season. He has now been recalled to the national team following its dismal early exit from Russia.
The attacker has only played 30 minutes for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this season. He was excluded from the starting XI against Newcastle United last Saturday as well.
In Germany’s 0-0 draw with France on Thursday too, Sane came off the bench late and only played seven minutes of the game.
The abandonment of his UEFA Nations League duty comes in the backdrop of criticism he received from international teammate Toni Kroos.
In the lead up to the France game, Kroos said of Sane, “Sometimes you have the feeling with Leroy’s body language that it is all the same, whether we win or lose.”
“He has to improve his body language. He’s a player who has everything you need to be a world-class player but sometimes you have to tell him he has to perform better.”
Twitter has since reacted to the news:
From young player of the year to being ommited from the wc squad and now doubts on his body language. Things have changed rapidly for @LeroySane19. But a quality young player. If he goes down the drain, it's going to be sad for this current gen. Same with @AnthonyMartial #Sane
— Vighnesh Subramanian (@vighnesh1992) September 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/Twotoes3281/status/1038134888011124736
Leroy Sane has left the Germany squad for personal reasons. Toni Kroos and the rest of the Aryan Brotherhood will be happy.
— Short Term Emery Loss (@RealPower85) September 7, 2018
Everyone calm down, his partner is about to give birth.#Sane. https://t.co/40jlyXsemb
— FtblFtblDotFtbl (@ftblftbldotftbl) September 7, 2018
Sane scored 10 goals in 32 Premier League appearances last season but whether Guardiola will give him his first start this campaign anytime soon is yet to be seen.