“Sane is a guy with a special talent,” Pep Guardiola said of his young German winger following Manchester City’s battling 3-2 win at West Brom on Saturday. There was ample excitement surrounding Leroy Sane’s arrival 18 months ago and naturally so considering his raw talent and scope for improvement. The 21-year-old’s potential is immense and all that’s required is the right manager to realise that potential. Guardiola appears to be bringing out the best in the youngster as his City side continues to dominate both domestically and on the continent.
Indeed, a goal and an assist at the Hawthorns at the weekend means Sane has had a direct hand in more goals (11 – 6 goals, 5 assists) than any other Premier League player this season. While he struggled to hold down a regular starting spot under Guardiola last term, making just 20 league starts, Sane is perhaps now considered a first team regular for the title favourites, despite the City boss able to call on Raheem Sterling and big money summer arrival Bernardo Silva in wide positions.
He’s come a long way from the teenager that really broke onto the scene in 2015, where he netted on his Champions League debut against Real Madrid. He’d already made a handful of Bundesliga appearances before Schalke’s defeat to Los Blancos at the Bernabeu that evening, but his hour-long cameo in Madrid attracted the attention of a number of Europe’s biggest sides. He maintained a solid level of consistency that ultimately culminated in his big money move to City last summer.
The campaign may still be in its infancy, but Sane is already considered one of the favourites to land the Young Player of the Year accolade and it wouldn’t be undeserved to see the Germany international pick up the award. The approach implemented by Guardiola undoubtedly benefits the winger, with the onus on fast, free-flowing attacking football and, in this regard, Sane is the ideal player. He’s comfortable with the ball on either foot and his ability to ghost past opponents is his strongest asset.
That he has improved his goal and assists output – at this early stage of the season, six goals and five assists are both better than returns of five goals and three assists last term – suggests he is developing accordingly. That being said, at his age, there remain rough edges to his game that need smoothing. Only Richarlison (4.1) is having more unsuccessful first touches per 90 than Sane (4) of players to register at least 500 minutes of top-flight action this season.
While Guardiola praised Sane after their 3-2 win, the City boss admitted he and Sterling both have areas that need to improve. “(They can improve) in the simple things. If you have the ball, don't lose the ball.” Indeed, Sane is being dispossessed 2.3 times per 90, the third highest return of all City players in the Premier League this season. A player of his style is often prone to losing the ball, with wingers taking greater risks when running at opponents, but it’s an area that requires improvement for Sane.
His pass success rate (82.3%) also ranks low for a side that is averaging more possession (66.2%) than any other Premier League team this season and ultimately adds to the risk of opponents adding pressure to the City goal. While teams have yet to really punish Guardiola’s side this term, Sane’s decision making is an area of development that needs to be worked on to take his game to the next level.
That being said, having already bettered his goal and assist return from the previous campaign, there is a clear sign that Sane is adhering to the demands and teaching of his boss. Without doubt, City is the best place for him to improve, with Guardiola the perfect manager to ensure Sane lives up to lofty expectations. Minor refinements to his game will certainly see him take the next step in a career that promises plenty.
