Manchester City has successfully acquired the services of Germany International Leroy Sane for a fee believed to be in the region of £37m including add-ons which will be triggered based on Sane’s Performances.
Sane is one of the biggest prospects on the continent, and he impressed last year in Bundesliga with eight goals and six assists in 33 matches. He is a natural right winger, but can be equally useful on the left flank, and could be used on both sides during his first season at City.
Re-shaping the Team
Guardiola already has several world-class players in attacking midfield positions such as Navas, Sterling, Nasri, and Nolito so Sane will be probably used as a rotational player rather than a key member of the first team.
He and Jesus Navas should compete for the place on the right flank, and both players have the quality that suits Pep’s philosophy. For instance, Sane is a different type than Navas; he is not particularly useful in crossing the ball like the Spaniard but likes to dribble and cut inside, trying to create an opening to get a shot away.
Navas, on the other hand, is always looking for assists and regularly hugs the touchline, so there will be enough opportunities for both of them to shine, depending on Pep’s tactics and opposition.
Sane clearly has a bright future and will be a great player for the club in the next few years. However, the 20-year-old’s arrival could mean the departure of one or two other players – Samir Nasri and/or Raheem Sterling.
Still, it’s just a thought, and Guardiola will give them a chance as well, that’s for sure, but it seems that five or six players competing for two positions on the team are a bit too much. So it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if Guardiola decides to let one of them go.
The Young Hope
The season is long, and City is competing on four fronts so Pep can use one contingent of players in FA and League Cup, and other in EPL and UCL.
Leroy already appeared in more than 50 games for Schalke, but still, has a lot to learn, and it seems like the move to Man City can be a right one in his young career.
Guardiola is a fantastic coach and mentor, and we can expect Sane to be one of the finest players in Europe in the next three or four years under his guidance. He could bring a lot to this City team, not only next season but in the future as well.