Former Germany international Michael Ballack does not believe there is any “sporting reason” behind Leroy Sane’s axe from the 2018 World Cup squad.
Sane’s hopes of announcing himself as one of the upcoming young stars in world football in Russia were dashed by Germany coach Joachim Low this week after the City attacker was not named in the final 23-man squad for the tournament.
“He’s shown all his qualities and could have been a big influence at the World Cup with his abilities,” Ballack said at a PR event. “I was really looking forward to seeing such a player at this tournament.”
Low explained after Sane’s omission that Julian Brandt beat the former Schalke player to a World Cup place, but Ballack said he could also see other reasons behind Sane’s absence.
“I can’t really see any sporting reasons behind it. Forget it, there is no photo finish for me. The position Julian Brandt plays in, you need a lot of fantasy to believe this. He’s just not on Sane’s level. Sane plays for a bigger club, plays alongside better players.”
Ballack also had his say on Chelsea, who have made an unconvincing start to the summer with Antonio Conte’s future still not resolved and progress yet to be made in the transfer market.
“It’s not what Chelsea is asking for, running so far behind,” the former Germany international said in the Daily Mail. “Chelsea with its history shouldn’t have different ambitions. You have to think about what happened the last three years.
“Finishing fifth is not good enough for Chelsea, and especially in the last three seasons not qualifying for the Champions League twice.
“It’s a sign, it’s a development with which you have to be careful. You have to question yourself inside Chelsea to see what you have done right and what you have done wrong.
“Even the title last year was achieved by being out of European competition.. It’s achieved by good circumstances. But not qualifying [for the Champions League] now, you should question are you making the right decisions?”
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“It’s not always about the money to be successful it’s also about the strategy,” he added. “They have a really good youth team that beats everybody. They have good young talent which you can work with.
“There is quality there. I have seen them myself there. It’s not always about spending the big money, taking risks, relying on one or two players. Maybe it’s time also to go in a different way for Chelsea.”
