Leroy Sane has been at the centre of attention for the last few months, with his lack of involvement for club and country this term the prevalent story.
The winger was omitted from Germany’s World Cup squad, and that swiftly emerged as just the tip of the iceberg as Pep Guardiola left him out of Manchester City’s starting eleven on four occasions, until finally giving him the nod against Fulham last weekend.
Sane exhibited the raw pace and guile that he expressed lethally last term, scoring inside two minutes of his first start. Perhaps the goal was a marker to prove a point to both Guardiola and Joachim Low, however the mood between the German and the City boss was far more sprightly than initially perceived; even through Sane’s barren patch.
Their relationship only got stronger after Sane’s electric performance at Etihad Stadium, and when he came off the bench to try and pull the Sky Blues out of their gaping hole in the Champions League four days later, he very nearly did so.
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His waltzing dart down the left flank and precise ball teed up Bernardo Silva to give City a route back into the match. Lyon ultimately held on, but all eyes were on Leroy Sane yet again, who showed a freshness and desire Manchester City need to perpetuate their Premier League dominance.
While Sane and City couldn’t complete the comeback on Wednesday night, the overriding signs indicated that the scorching German is still at his best and should slot back into the starting eleven on a permanent basis.
The combination of Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez on opposite flanks proved prosperous in the infant stages of the campaign, however it would be a shrewd move from Guardiola to hand Sane some consistency as he seeks to rebuild his confidence and momentum on the pitch.
Guardiola faced with a dilemma
The Catalan manager has a problem many bosses would envy. There are simply too many quality players and not enough space in the starting eleven.
Leroy Sane was the man to suffer from the consequences of that particular conundrum, but it is now time for him to reap the rewards.
Riyad Mahrez has admittedly been no more than a periphery figure, despite the playing time Guardiola has gifted him, and perhaps the City manager needs to rejuvenate the often deadly partnership Sterling and Sane have on the wings.
That was the key to much of the Sky Blues’ success last term. However an argument to say that the two pacey wide men only flourish with the technical genius of Kevin de Bruyne in the side, suggests Mahrez should be included to balance speed and craft.
It is an issue that Guardiola will undoubtedly solve in the next few games prior to the second international break, but Sane certainly deserves a run in the team.
Will Leroy Sane be part of Manchester City’s plans in the next few matches?