Leroy Sane is among the very best players in the league.
Manchester City has shown tremendous improvement since Leroy Sane has arrived on the scene. But Sane’s uptick didn’t happen overnight. In fact, early on there wasn’t any sign that Sane would be a star.
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Then things changed. Sane understands the game and he has internalized his manager’s philosophy. He recognizes what’s expected of him and maintains positional discipline.
Sane is brilliant on the ball. He dictates tempo. He plays with an electrifying pace.
Sane is impressive in other ways, too. Statistics show that he has made more runs than any of his teammates in league games when he plays 90 minutes. With a superb left foot, Sane has the ability to wriggle out of congested areas and he presses high in the opposition half with dazzling skills.
But what impresses me most is his capacity to attack spaces on the flank. He drifts into the midfield area looking to create openings. And even when Sane gives the ball away, he often reacts quickly to regain possession.
Yet, it’s also clear that Sane was out of favour at season’s start. It was a superb performance against West Brom at Hawthorns that gave him new life. Since then, Sane has been scoring goals and providing assists with regularity.
I was particularly impressed with his performance against Arsenal at the Emirates. Sane was a thorn in the flesh of Arsenal defenders. Every time he took the ball to the byline, he cut inside and left defenders in no man’s land. He kept terrorizing the Arsenal back four until he had a breakthrough. At one point, he took on three Arsenal players, outran them, and played a beautiful pass to Bernado Silva, who put the ball at the back of the net.
Sane’s progress is a delight to observe. His physical and mental development, as well as his technical ability, set him up as a leading Premier League winger.
But at issue still is whether Sane has the attitude and commitment to take his game to the next level.
One thing is certain: Guardiola’s high-pressing tactics demand players to have a high work rate. Sane fits that profile perfectly. And it adds up to a singular conclusion: Leroy Sane is among the very best players in the league.
