Michael Ballack says Manchester City whiz Leroy Sane is the future of German football.

Sane has enjoyed an excellent season after swapping Schalke for Manchester City last summer.

"I am impressed by his physical improvements since he changed club, as he was just a young kid from Schalke," Ballack told Goal.com.

"He adapted quickly to the Premier League and he has this confidence to go dribbling, he's open to face defenders.

"Sometimes he gets knocks but he stands up and is not hiding. He is asking them questions again, not scared of the challenge. He has improved his game so much, because of his physical ability to make long runs. Sometimes he will play full-back, wing-back or on the wing.

"I am sure with Pep Guardiola as a coach, he will learn and learn and learn more as he grows in age.

"He has shown that with the national team as well when he played in the last months. He was quality, not nervous and performed immediately. I am pretty sure he will be one of the key players in the future for Germany."