Pep needs Sane and Sane needs Pep - why the Schalke star should choose Man City
There is something about the way Leroy Sane controls the ball, turns and
dribbles that is reminiscent of a certain Argentine No.10 at Barcelona
or even a certain Dutch No.10 at Bayern Munich. Both Lionel Messi and
Arjen Robben, predominantly left-footed like the young German, make it
look as though they are men playing in children's games when they take
possession of the ball on the right wing and cut ruthlessly through a
helpless back-line. The tightness of the control, the closeness of the touch, the impact of the pass or shot that comes after, these are individual skills quarried by Pep Guardiola to build the foundations of his teams at Barca and Bayern.
Guardiola favours passing football, no doubt, but it would be remiss to say he has not relied on the individual qualities of Messi or Robben to bring his plans to bear. That instinctive dribbling play is fundamental to Pep's philosophy, not counter to it.
That is not to accuse him of having taken an easy ride and being bailed out by some of the best in the world. Guardiola not only shaped the collective successes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, he made Messi and Robben better too.
Now with Guardiola's arrival imminent at Manchester City, he has a squad
in need of overhaul. Pep has many issues to solve in defence and
midfield before a ball is kicked in the 2016-17 Premier League season,
but one area that requires merely re-aligning and not ripping up is his
forward line.
To the proven talents of Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne can be added the potential of Raheem Sterling. To that trio could be added Sane. If Schalke can be persuaded to part with their latest academy crown jewel, it is to City he should go.
To the proven talents of Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne can be added the potential of Raheem Sterling. To that trio could be added Sane. If Schalke can be persuaded to part with their latest academy crown jewel, it is to City he should go.
No coach could better coax out the superstar in Sane than Guardiola. No
coach could better straighten out his deficiencies than Guardiola. No
coach could best point out the whys and wherefores of why a certain pass
must be made or a certain option should be taken. He is going to the
top but he needs refinement.
Sane endured a rough patch during the middle part of the season with Schalke. Nothing was going right and he was on a long streak of games without a goal or assist. Schalke coach Andre Breitenreiter took him out of the starting line-up; dropped him for four games straight. The last straw appeared to have been his contribution in the 2-1 defeat to Mainz in February. At 1-1 and with Schalke desperately in need of three points, Sane tried one complicated turn after another, surrendering possession to Mainz. A few seconds later, with Sane claiming a non-existent foul, the ball was in the back of the Schalke net. They finished three points outside the Champions League places.
It was an uneven season by Schalke, totally normal by their standards, but their unpredictability was reflected in the play of their young prospect. There were plenty of dribbles, goals, assists and breathtaking through balls but there were also misplaced passes, poor touches and decisions, and too many attacks that broke down at his feet. But with the right infrastructure and the right coach there is no limit to his potential.
A buyout clause of €37 million was denied by Schalke in the winter, with the now-departed sporting director Horst Heldt attempting to spark something of a bidding war between interested parties. At that stage Barcelona and Liverpool were also known to be keen. Heldt's replacement, Christian Heidel, has not closed the door on any transfers in this summer window and would appear resigned to losing Sane sooner or later.
With the 20-year-old now firmly on the continental consciousness and established in the plans of Joachim Low for the senior team, his value is going one way only. As well as City, there is the interest of Manchester United to consider.
Sane might consider the fate of Memphis Depay and not only that of Anthony Martial. One has handled the pressure, the expectations, of being at a major club which has lost its way. The other has not and is suffering. There is no guarantee that Sane, walking into the depressive shell that is Old Trafford, would follow the path of the Frenchman.
Sane endured a rough patch during the middle part of the season with Schalke. Nothing was going right and he was on a long streak of games without a goal or assist. Schalke coach Andre Breitenreiter took him out of the starting line-up; dropped him for four games straight. The last straw appeared to have been his contribution in the 2-1 defeat to Mainz in February. At 1-1 and with Schalke desperately in need of three points, Sane tried one complicated turn after another, surrendering possession to Mainz. A few seconds later, with Sane claiming a non-existent foul, the ball was in the back of the Schalke net. They finished three points outside the Champions League places.
It was an uneven season by Schalke, totally normal by their standards, but their unpredictability was reflected in the play of their young prospect. There were plenty of dribbles, goals, assists and breathtaking through balls but there were also misplaced passes, poor touches and decisions, and too many attacks that broke down at his feet. But with the right infrastructure and the right coach there is no limit to his potential.
A buyout clause of €37 million was denied by Schalke in the winter, with the now-departed sporting director Horst Heldt attempting to spark something of a bidding war between interested parties. At that stage Barcelona and Liverpool were also known to be keen. Heldt's replacement, Christian Heidel, has not closed the door on any transfers in this summer window and would appear resigned to losing Sane sooner or later.
With the 20-year-old now firmly on the continental consciousness and established in the plans of Joachim Low for the senior team, his value is going one way only. As well as City, there is the interest of Manchester United to consider.
Sane might consider the fate of Memphis Depay and not only that of Anthony Martial. One has handled the pressure, the expectations, of being at a major club which has lost its way. The other has not and is suffering. There is no guarantee that Sane, walking into the depressive shell that is Old Trafford, would follow the path of the Frenchman.
What has been proven is that Pep Guardiola needs a player like Leroy Sane and a player like Leroy Sane needs Pep Guardiola.
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