Julian Nagelsmann has launched a strong defence of Germany winger Leroy Sane.
Sane was a surprise pick for the World Cup, at least in the eyes of the German media.
Formerly unplayable at Manchester City, Sane lost form at Bayern Munich and last summer stepped away from Europe’s top leagues with a switch to Galatasaray in Turkey.
While not exactly the US or Saudi Arabia, the move was panned by the German media, and Sane’s numbers weren’t exactly stellar in Gala’s title win either.
Yet through it all, Nagelsmann continues to pick Sane, and has started him in both World Cup wins over Curacao and Ivory Coast.
On top of that, his teammates continue to praise his talent and character.
Nagelsmann defends Sane
Yet Sane hasn’t had a goal contribution in either match, even the opening 7-1, and Nagelsmann is facing pressure to drop him.
It appears he won’t be though, as he offered a strong repost before facing Ecuador in their final group game.
“I don’t see why I shouldn’t let him play,” he said. “I’m not one to be swayed by outside opinions.
“We have an opinion within the coaching staff, an opinion within the team, and we also saw things on the field that were very good.
“The criticism of Sane is now based on a ‘psychological phenomenon,’ – once you’ve pigeonholed someone and characterised them in a certain way, then anything you even remotely see in that direction is judged many times worse.”
He finished: “I can assure you, it doesn’t bother him. It bothers me more, because I don’t like having things like that written about my players.”
Nick Woltemade also recently defended his fellow forwards.
“I think it’s a shame,” he said on Tommi Schmitt’s podcast. “Why is it always so divided?
“Everyone can have their opinion, but that doesn’t help any of us.
“We won’t make any progress if everyone says: ‘Sané shouldn’t play, Woltemade and Havertz have to leave. Undav has to play.’
“We’re such a cool country, we have such an awesome national team, such cool players.”
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