Leroy Sane isn’t having the best time right now.
His stock rose hugely during the summer when Joachim Low left him out of the Germany squad. The country’s struggles in Russia only served to underline the argument from those who insisted the Manchester City player should have been included.
Sane was the stand out future of the national team, according to more exaggerated responses, and with him in the team things would show an improvement.
Then the Premier League season started and it quickly became clear that Pep Guardiola isn’t entirely thrilled with his player right now, regardless of what he says in public.
There have been claims of an attitude problem, although Guardiola has insisted that isn’t the case.
Over in Germany, this has all been making the news and it’s no surprise to see other players talk about it.
Quizzed on Sane, Toni Kroos was frank in his assessment. The Real Madrid midfielder clearly thinks the Manchester City player is very talented, but that there’s work to do if he’s to reach his potential.
“But what’s clear is that you have to find a way to get him to his top performance. Then he would be a huge enrichment to us with his qualities, which are relatively rare when you look at our squad.
“Of course he’s someone who makes you feel with his body language: whether I win or lose, it’s not that bad. That’s the body language. I don’t know if that’s the case. We do not have a player like Leroy with his qualities. With speed, with the left foot. He played a superb season at Manchester last year. Nevertheless, it feels as if now with Pep, that he also sees it and pushes him a bit – and does not let him play.”
