Can Manchester City’s Leroy Sane Be the New Thierry Henry?

Away on International Duty for Germany, Manchester City’s Leroy Sane has added goals to his performances for country

Sane has famously been called out by his own International Captain, Tony Kroos, for having the body language of someone who “doesn’t care” and has even been left out of a poor German World Cup Squad despite being the Premier League Young Player of the Year. But these things have not troubled the Manchester City winger and he has gone from strength to strength.

To be fair, following the purported hacked emails printed in the German Press about Manchester City, its probably fair to surmise that Sane was left out of the German World Cupp Squad mainly because he had the temerity to not play for Bayern Munich!

Yet, all of this disappointment has been put to one side. He has started a family and seemingly continued to work hard at Manchester City even when not making the first 11, following the continued deployment of Benjamin Mendy at wing back and the purchase of Riyad Mahrez. Lesser players would have crumbled under these pressures, but not Sane.

More from Man City Editorials

• Phil Foden Scores Opener for England Against Scotland
• The FA Cup 1904; Manchester City’s First Trophy Ever
• Scandal Erupts: Raival’s Star Winger Antony Faces Accusations of Assault
• Man City Reigns Supreme in Ballon d’Or Nominations, Argentina Shines on National Stage
• Louis van Gaal Drops Bombshell: Accuses Argentina of World Cup 2022 Conspiracy!

Maybe its that Germanic sensibility. Maybe its his innate cool. But he remains unfazed and instead has answered these sly digs and implied criticisms in the best way possible. On the pitch. He has scored his first 2 senior international goals in his last 2 games and has stepped assuredly into this German side, even though they are in key areas of the pitch, somewhat workmanlike.

For Germany, Sane is notionally on the left but given free roaming rights to look for space and it is this movement which has underlined his goal threat. Watching this movement, and his positioning at Manchester City where he always arrives late to the back post to tap in the cross and its clear that Sane is a player of real poise and skill, coupled with pace to burn.

Whilst watching him though I have a distinct sense of watching Thierry Henry in his early days, that cutting in with pace and power. Whilst Sane is already one of the most valuable young players in World Football, he has the potential I think to really reach the top tiers of the game. I see that potential being reached as a Guardiola style striker.

Watching him for Germany and its clear his goal tally is restricted by the passing of those around him. At Manchester City that would not be the case and it would be fantastic to watch Sane fully unleashed in a central striking role.