Didi Hamann explains why Germany may have left Leroy Sane out of their World Cup squad

"I would have left Goretzka or Draxler behind, because Sane is one of the few players who has got out and out pace, and I think we lack that a little bit."

The strength in depth that Germany possess was hammered home earlier this week when they couldn't find any room for Leroy Sane in their squad for the World Cup. Sane had a sensational campaign for Manchester City last season. The 22-year scored 10 goals, registered 17 assists and won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, as he helped City reach 100 points on the way to winning the Premier League title. Yet, despite a fantastic club season, he was omitted from Germany's squad as they seek to retain their title as world champions. The decision caught many football fans by surprise - particularly those who have regularly watched Sane for City in the Premier League. He would be among the best players in any number of other World Cup teams, yet Germany have so many talented players, they can omit Sane from their squad and still be favourites to win the tournament in Russia. Didi Hamann was among those taken aback by Joachim Löw's decision to leave Sane behind. The former Germany and Liverpool midfielder said he would have taken the winger to the World Cup if it was his decision. However, Hamann suggested that Sane's under-par performances in recent friendlies may have cost him in his place in the squad. "I didn’t expect it, but he didn’t play well the last two games against Brazil and Austria," Hamann said at the launch of RTE's World Cup coverage on Wednesday afternoon.

"This is where he’s very strong and strict, the manager. If he doesn’t think he’ll help the team, or he’s not in a position now to help the team, maybe in a year or two years’ time, then he leaves him out. I wouldn’t say it was a shock, but a lot of people were surprised, yes."

Hamann, who was part of the Germany team who reached the World Cup final in 2002, where they lost to Brazil, also said that the decision for Löw would have come down to take either Sane or Julian Brandt. Löw opted for the Bayer Leverkusen winger, but Hamann reckons both should have been included at the expense of Leon Goretzka or Julian Draxler. "(Marco) Reus was always going if he’s fit. The decision as a manager was between Brandt and Sane," Hamann said.

"I would have taken both. I would have left Goretzka or Draxler behind, because Sane is one of the few players who’s got out and out pace, and I think we lack that a little bit. For that reason, I would have taken him."

Hamann also said that Löw is a "strict" manager who doesn't pick players on club form alone. The German boss would have expected Sane to impress when in training for the national team. When the winger failed to do so, he made the decision to cut him from the final squad, regardless of how impressive he had been for City. "He was outstanding last season, but that just goes to show, the manager is not interested," the former midfielder continued.

"Obviously, he watches them for their club, the reason he was picked in the first place was he was doing well for his club. But in the two weeks they played together in the games they played, he obviously wasn’t up to the standard of what he expected from him, hence he left him out."