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

[SebastianBlue]

Everyone who says that we wouldn't miss Sane is freaking deluded. He's a unique winger/wide forward in terms of his style of play. The way he glides through defences with the ball with those giraffe legs etc etc.

The same was generally said (we’ll miss their [fill in attribute(s)]) about Tevez, Dzeko, Hart, Yaya, and a few other players by many on here.

But, then again, we have had a barren stretch since all of them left, so what do I know.

 

[kaz7]

I think (and have thought for some time) Gabby is actually a winger being played as an out-and-out striker.

Most of Gabby’s best play has actually come when he has drifted out wide, received the ball, dribbled past a defender or two (or powered past them or played quick passes with a teammate), and scored (or put a good shot on target for the keeper to make a superb save to keep out).

And I think Kev will find him just as regularly. If anything Gabby may win the ball back and give it to Kev to play the quick give-and-go more often.

I've always thought of gabby as being more of a winger so i agree there,i'll not say the obvious as i've taken enough flack on that subject

 

[BobKowalski]

Why would he hope benny can stay fit after 2 seasons out?

Then he relies on Cancelo. Mendy stays fit then it’s a bonus and if Mendy is fit and when Cancelo gets up to speed I don’t think Pep sees a place for Sane other than an option off the bench. Pep is a fan of Leroy’s ability but isn’t a fan of his application or tactical versatility. Remember Pep trying to get Leroy to play left back and getting nothing out of him when Mendy was injured first time round? Leroy is great and I’ll be sorry to see him leave but he is too one dimensional to play in a Pep team.

 

[SebastianBlue]

I've always thought of gabby as being more of a winger so i agree there,i'll not say the obvious as i've taken enough flack on that subject

Well, I suppose we’ll soon find out who was more accurate in their assessments, either way. ;-)

 

[kaz7]

Then he relies on Cancelo. Mendy stays fit then it’s a bonus and if Mendy is fit and when Cancelo gets up to speed I don’t think Pep sees a place for Sane other than an option off the bench. Pep is a fan of Leroy’s ability but isn’t a fan of his application or tactical versatility. Remember Pep trying to get Leroy to play left back and getting nothing out of him when Mendy was injured first time round? Leroy is great and I’ll be sorry to see him leave but he is too one dimensional to play in a Pep team.

Why would he want to play LB? what a waste of his talent and he knew it,centurians season he was brilliant in his correct position,not every player can play anywhere

 

[cibaman]

Hope to see Sane travelling but if he does does it demonstrate that much? If he isn’t there that would be bad but the other way around I’m not so sure it makes a difference.

Me neither. Even if the deal is 90% done there’s always the possibility of it collapsing at the last minute. I can’t see why we would leave him out until it’s a done deal, otherwise we’re telling Bayern that we’re going to fold. And if the deal is in the balance then playing him would give us a good indication of his attitude.

Also, we do want to beat Liverpool and he should be in good nick. Leave him out and we might have to play one of the South Americans for longer than they’re ready. It’s not as if playing him would deprive a replacement of game time.

 

[BobKowalski]

Why would he want to play LB? what a waste of his talent and he knew it

Because it would have added to his knowledge and experience. If Agüero can up his game and add extra to what he does on the pitch then I’m sure Leroy can as well. Besides a LB in a Pep team isn’t exactly there for his tackling or defensive duties.

 

[Marvin]

Me neither. Even if the deal is 90% done there’s always the possibility of it collapsing at the last minute. I can’t see why we would leave him out until it’s a done deal, otherwise we’re telling Bayern that we’re going to fold. And if the deal is in the balance then playing him would give us a good indication of his attitude.

Also, we do want to beat Liverpool and he should be in good nick. Leave him out and we might have to play one of the South Americans for longer than they’re ready. It’s not as if playing him would deprive a replacement of game time.

I see what you mean, but I don't think Pep would have a player around the squad who was disinterested. The moment he says I want out, that will be it imo, regardless of the message it sends to Bayern.

 

[bainy]

Sane...great player..hope he is part of our future....if not we thank him.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

I've always thought of gabby as being more of a winger so i agree there,i'll not say the obvious as i've taken enough flack on that subject

He is that “inside forward” who works in the spaces created by his, and his centre forwards, movement. As we saw with Brazil, if he is given space, which means not playing with his back to goal, and can make runs both with and without the ball, he can be a worldie.

One of the things about Pep is that he wants the best players in the world to work with because of the qualities they possess. However, as soon as he gets them, he wants to mold that talent into the player HE WANTS THEM TO BE FOR HIS TEAM. In Gabby, he has had a willing participant. I think this is where he and Leroy fell out of love.

Leroy knows he is a special talent and that his talent is attacking defenders in full flow. At City, that opportunity comes few and far in between, because of the nature of the PL and the way teams play against us. It is notable that his best “full flowing” performances are against better teams, where the emphasis is as much as them trying to dominate us as them us them. That allows him the space to be who he is. I’m sure the thought of being “changed or don’t play” under Pep was less than appetizing to him for the next few seasons, as he readies himself for what should be a breakout Euros and World Cup run for him.I guess now, it is all down to price and how to get the best out of what we have left to play with.

I can see Gabby and Sterling being the left sided attackers this season, with Bernardo and Mahrez being the right sided ones, with Sergio down the middle and a rotation of Gabby and Raheem in there when Sergio needs a rest.

From here, it is all about injuries, and when they occur, because we have the quality to go far in every competition, even with youngsters being brought in for the Domestic Cup competitions.