"I would have preferred El Mala" – Lothar Matthäus criticises decision to include Leroy Sané in German World Cup squad | OneFootball

Germany’s World Cup squad was announced on Thursday, with Leroy Sané among the attacking options selected by head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

However, for Germany legend Lothar Matthäus, the 30-year-old hasn't done enough for Galatasaray this season to justify a call-up.

“I’m actually a fan of him, I know him very well personally, but he – I have to be honest – hasn't performed over the entire year the way I would have expected. If Julian Nagelsmann says that selection is based on performances and minutes played, then it’s a surprise,” Matthäus told RTL/ntv and Sport.de.

In total, Sané has racked up seven goals and nine assists in 43 appearances for Galatasaray since his free transfer from FC Bayern Munich last summer.

“I was in Istanbul for the Europa League final in the last two days and even in Turkey people are not satisfied with Sané. The fans are disappointed with him; he has had little playing time,” Matthäus added.

“Sané is not performing in a way that justifies this call-up. At Galatasaray he is not even a regular starter, and that should not be enough for the German national team.”

Matthäus said he would have liked to see a younger option included in the squad instead.

“I would have preferred [Said] El Mala, who had a huge season with 1. FC Köln,” he explained.

“That was his first Bundesliga season. He came from the 3rd division, scored many goals and provided many assists. That is what you need at a World Cup – someone who asserts himself with speed and body language, which is why I would have preferred him over Sané.

“Looking back at the whole year, El Mala has performed significantly better than Sané,” Matthäus concluded.