Deal agreed with Bayern Munich for Leroy Sane - €60m (including add-ons)

[br88]

It's amazing to think Hoeness is a convicted criminal and was given 3.5 years in prison. Seven serious counts of tax evasion totalling 28 million euros and admitted his guilt. And, then, incredibly, Bayern Munich made him their President again on release...what kind of club does that. They have also been at the forefront of those attacking City over recent years.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Good boy,pep said all the players start from zero next season so he has as much chance as anyone else

I think with Pep, about 2/3 of the squad start at zero every Monday morning!

He consistently talks about training and who has caught his eye this week, and I just think Leroy is possibly one of those lackadaisical trainers. I know I’ve seen them before (back in the .late 70s, early 80s) at top teams, yet they didn’t have the luxury of another international on the bench. Also, today ALL players are monitored, so the ones doggin training stick out like a sore thumb on the computer!

I’d love to see him stay, be a regular option (both starting and on the bench), but I think two parts of his game are lacking when you compare him to the players with whom he is competing:

The ability to go either way, because his “wrong” foot needs serious work), and

His ability to not lose the ball as we are attacking with 8 players, except on the last ball.

Sterling, Bernardo & Mahrez can all turn defenders inside out because on either side of the field, they can come inside or go outside. Leroy can’t. When on the left, he has very little inside threat, and it’s all about the cross (which is no mean feat when you see how he can get to the byline!). When he is on the right, he has little to no “down the line” threat, as you know he is coming inside.

On losing the ball, I think he has done a good job of working his tail off to win it back. However, it is his decision-making on whether to hit the simple ball (and play the percentages) or try the audacious flick/touch to spring the defence, that is his problem. Both have their time and place, but they depend on the structure of the team when he does it. Too often, he leaves his full back and even his midfielder in no man’s land, because he hasn’t dissed out which decision the team is set up for. This is especially true when Fernandinho isn’t playing as the covering DM.

Pep’s teams live to possess the ball. However, if we stream forward to support an attack, we are generally committing 8 players (occasionally only 7, but usually 8) to the attack. If that breaks down because of poor thinking, poor technique, or a simple lack of understanding of “the moment,” then you have just fold at least 5 of those players down the river...unless YOU immediately retrieve the ball, it (at a minimum) pressure the ball sufficiently well to stop the counter.

Leroy is learning, to be sure, but he needs to learn quicker! Bernardo has been a revelation and is only a touch older than Leroy. It is impossible to drop Bernardo to accommodate Leroy, unless you drop Sterling, who just had his best season ever.

That said, I think Bernardo’s future is in midfield, not on the wing. I’m not sure if that means LM (vice David), as KDB prefers RM, but he can definitely play RW/RM/LM.

Ideally, with what we have today, I’d like to see

KDB.......FERNANDINHO.....BERNARDO
STERLING.....AGUERO.............SANÉ

...but that also creates the issue of a one dimensional/one position player causing everyone else to adjust, as Leroy is an almost exclusive LW.

We did see him play inside a few times, or at least a few cameos in the Inside Left position, but rarely.

In short (too late?!), he needs to not only improve what he already does, but also add another string or two to his bow, IF he wants to work to be a City player in this team, especially considering we are entering the second wave of squad rebuilding and new faces are coming.

 

[crazyg]

It's amazing to think Hoeness is a convicted criminal and was given 3.5 years in prison. Seven serious counts of tax evasion totalling 28 million euros and admitted his guilt. And, then, incredibly, Bayern Munich made him their President again on release...what kind of club does that. They have also been at the forefront of those attacking City over recent years.

But that wil be no problem, because his country has never had a poor Human Rights record, unlike our owner and senior management's country of origin.

Oh, hang on.....................

 

[sir baconface]

So he’s either going or staying? Cheers Twitter.
What do we do when Twitter tells us two conflicting things are happening? I’m confused!

Invest in super strength fanny wipes?

 

[LancashireBlue]

It's amazing to think Hoeness is a convicted criminal and was given 3.5 years in prison. Seven serious counts of tax evasion totalling 28 million euros and admitted his guilt. And, then, incredibly, Bayern Munich made him their President again on release...what kind of club does that. They have also been at the forefront of those attacking City over recent years.

Their co-chairman also has a record as he was once ordered to pay a 250 grand fine for not declaring two Rolex watches at customs after a trip to the Middle East.

And their new sleeve sponsor is Qatar Airways, replacing Qatar airport.

 

[Hamann Pineapple]

Pep might let him stay if he packs the fags in, according to twitter

 

[citytill1die84]

Heard from someone today that the club are more optimistic about both Gundogan and Sane staying and signing new deals over summer. Hopefully true, would be gutted to lose either of them, but particularly Sane.

Fingers crossed :)

 

[Blue Pete]

Think it through if we sell Sane, Pep might have the funds for Jordan Ibe.

 

[NorCalBlue]

Think it through if we sell Sane, Pep might have the funds for Jordan Ibe.

Won't get nearly enough: Ibe >> Sterling, Sterling >= Sane, so if Sane = 100 million, Ibe must be worth about 150 million by now.

 

[Ban-jani]

It's amazing to think Hoeness is a convicted criminal and was given 3.5 years in prison. Seven serious counts of tax evasion totalling 28 million euros and admitted his guilt. And, then, incredibly, Bayern Munich made him their President again on release...what kind of club does that. They have also been at the forefront of those attacking City over recent years.

Where’s the La Liga President on that?

Or the media?