Manchester City scored two goals to see off Sunderland in the Premier League. Leroy Sane scored one of the goals, with the winger proving too hot for yet another of City’s opponents.
Manchester City have settled into some decent form over the last six weeks or so. Sunderland being the latest team to fall to defeat at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s team. Leroy Sane chipped in with one of the goals, as the German once again was one of City’s best players in the day.
The goal was Sane’s third goals in his last three games in all competitions. The winger is flying right now – and not just up and down the flank. After a quiet start at his new club, Sane is now showing why Guardiola and the club had so much faith in him.
City shelled out around £37 million to sign Sane from Bundesliga side Schalke. The fee alone invited great expectation and pressure. After all, Sane is only 21 years of age. The signing was no doubt seen as one for the future. A star of tomorrow. But already, Sane is becoming a star for today.
The slow start to the season was to have been expected, with his age and relative inexperience. Time to settle was always going to be needed. But you have to wonder whether Guardiola himself expected this level of impact from the youngster so soon.
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Sane arrived with a reputation of having fantastic pace and dribbling ability. These are raw talents that good young players have. But it’s not the fact that Sane is roasting almost any full-back that comes up against him. Or that his pace leaves everyone for dead once he gets going.
It’s the end product and mature decision making that Sane is really surprising with. Playing with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero, Sane always has options to pass to. Inevitably, the German picks the right decision nine times out of ten.
It might the explosive speed of youth that sees him shine in one-on-one situations. But it is his decision making that will see him stand out over a longer period at time. Add that to the goals he is scoring, and Sane is looking like a Manchester City star with every passing game.
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The Sunderland win was merely another exhibit of that. The speed and intent was a problem all game. As was his willingness to be direct, get into the opposition penalty box and try to notch goals and assists.
It’s still early days for Sane at Manchester City, but increasingly the winger is looking like the real deal and well worth the substantial fee the club paid for him.