Given the season he enjoyed with Manchester City, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award as Pep Guardiola’s side strolled to the Premier League title with a record-breaking points tally, Leroy Sane was probably more than a little disappointed to find out on Monday he’d been omitted from Germany’s World Cup squad.
There had been hints that Sane would be a peripheral figure for the defending world champions this summer, but Joachim Loew’s decision to leave the 22-year-old out of his 23-man squad altogether caught many by surprise. Of course, Germany still have a myriad of options in the final third.
Mesut Ozil, Julian Brandt, Julian Draxler and Thomas Muller will all travel to Russia, illustrating the strength of the German squad. But the inclusion of Marco Reus is most interesting. The Borussia Dortmund attacker has struggled with injury over the past few years, toiling in his efforts to build momentum over the past campaign at club level.
Reus sat out the last World Cup, sidelined at home with injury as his teammates went all the way in Brazil. Back then, he would have been a key figure for Germany, one of their best players. A lot has changed in the time since, though, and this summer Reus will be more of a wildcard. He might not start many games, depending on the system Loew opts for.
But the 29-year-old could still be a difference-maker for Germany. Reus gives them something different, a different dimension in the final third. While the likes of Toni Kroos and Ozil will give Germany a possession platform on the edge of the opposition box, Reus will give them some drive and energy. He will have the gumption to take on defenders, opening up space, either for himself or others.
“He's an incredibly skilful and intelligent player, a real handful for the opposition,” Loew said about the Dortmund attacker last week. He's so able, he makes it look so easy and playful. His timing is spot-on, even his passing. He's clinical. He's making a really good impression. Marco's like a rocket!”
Traditionally, Germany don’t tend to do so well four years after winning a World Cup, but on the evidence at hand they will be among the frontrunners in Russia this summer. Reus is one of their most potent players, capable of making the difference against even the best teams. He surely still regrets missing the 2014 World Cup, but the Dortmund man could still make up for lost time this summer.
