Leroy Sané

[Dax777]

I think he's turned 20 a few months back. Anyway, I'd rate his chances for making it to the top greater than Sterling's based on this year.

Based on Sterling 2 years ago vs Sane this year, how would you have rated their chances?

 

[blueparrot]

Don't see it being much use comparing him to Kelechi though as they play in different roles. Kelechi has the finishing that he needs to be a striker & Sane has the trickery to be a winger - that's why I was asking about Roberts, seem much more comparable considering they're both lefties playing an inside forward role on the right wing. From the 10 minutes of videos I've seen Sane doesn't appear much different, other than the height advantage, so I was wondering why we'd be so keen on him as we'll have what seems a replica back for the 2017/18 season.

My thoughts also.They seem incredibly similar.

Is the idea one can be converted to the opposite flank?

If you look at Bayern though they have Robben, Ribery, Costa an Coman for the wide positions if we are playing something like a 433 we would want more than just 2 players for those positions left and right of Aguero or Iheanacho in the middle. I wouldn't really include De Bruyne as I expect him or Silva to be at the top of the midfield 3.

 

[itisrising]

Based on Sterling 2 years ago vs Sane this year, how would you have rated their chances?

I can humbly say that I didn't watch much of Sterling 2 years ago so I wouldn't have a detailed description of how he did. I've watched him play all season and he doesn't look to have anything special. He can be a good player by he hasn't shown glimpses of magic and defenders don't seem afraid playing against him. He isn't the biggest lad and, to compensate for that, he should possess fantastic technical abilities which I really haven't seen from him.

I've watched plenty of Sane and, while he's inconsistent too, on his day defenders can't get near him. He is direct and lightning quick very much in the mould of Bale when he gets going. However, he still has plenty of work to do. I've often seen him running into defenders, not playing the right ball and his finishing is suspect. Saying that, he looks far more exciting than Sterling who, seemingly, has based his game on Nasri's.

 

[Dax777]

Don't see it being much use comparing him to Kelechi though as they play in different roles. Kelechi has the finishing that he needs to be a striker & Sane has the trickery to be a winger - that's why I was asking about Roberts, seem much more comparable considering they're both lefties playing an inside forward role on the right wing. From the 10 minutes of videos I've seen Sane doesn't appear much different, other than the height advantage, so I was wondering why we'd be so keen on him as we'll have what seems a replica back for the 2017/18 season.

Well, I have only seen 2 games with Barker, and lots of videos from when he was younger and seemed way better than his age mates. But from what I've seen they both have similar technical skill sets (Barker probably has more tricks up his sleeve, if you go buy his youth videos) but Sane has better presence of mind, and understanding of movement and angles.

This is what often differentiates the great from the good 4 years down the line. Those who get football and see the field outside of themselves often outperform similarly talented players ( or sometime more talented players) who thrive on their talent when they have the ball.

For example, there were probably 100 kids technically better than Mueller at 15-16. But what he had (spatial understanding) guaranteed he was always going to leave mist of them behind once they hit their 20s.

I'm not saying this is the case here, as I haven't seen enough of Barker. But often that's where the difference lies.

 

[Dax777]

If you look at Bayern though they have Robben, Ribery, Costa an Coman for the wide positions if we are playing something like a 433 we would want more than just 2 players for those positions left and right of Aguero or Iheanacho in the middle. I wouldn't really include De Bruyne as I expect him or Silva to be at the top of the midfield 3.

This is why I've consistently argued that Winger is our biggest need, if Pep's history is a blueprint.

 

[BlueMedic]

If you look at Bayern though they have Robben, Ribery, Costa an Coman for the wide positions if we are playing something like a 433 we would want more than just 2 players for those positions left and right of Aguero or Iheanacho in the middle. I wouldn't really include De Bruyne as I expect him or Silva to be at the top of the midfield 3.

They're all quite different players though & have clear age differences. Ribery/Robben are now old, Costa/Coman are younger replacements & play quite different styles. Agree that we'd clearly need more than 2 wingers, but having 2 that seem so similar & such a similar age would seem a bit strange - neither will be fully developed players next season, would rather have a player in/nearing his peak & let Roberts be the understudy.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Barker is absolutely nowhere near the level required and will never be. He's heralded as some wonder kid on here yet I've never seen anything to suggest this.

That's a bit of a strange comment seeing as he produced a whole bunch of performances for City, every bit as good as Sane's performance against City, during the same season.

A bit like saying 'I don't know what people see in this Diaz kid'.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Well, I have only seen 2 games with Barker, and lots of videos from when he was younger and seemed way better than his age mates. But from what I've seen they both have similar technical skill sets (Barker probably has more tricks up his sleeve, if you go buy his youth videos) but Sane has better presence of mind, and understanding of movement and angles.

This is what often differentiates the great from the good 4 years down the line. Those who get football and see the field outside of themselves often outperform similarly talented players ( or sometime more talented players) who thrive on their talent when they have the ball.

For example, there were probably 100 kids technically better than Mueller at 15-16. But what he had (spatial understanding) guaranteed he was always going to leave mist of them behind once they hit their 20s.

I'm not saying this is the case here, as I haven't seen enough of Barker. But often that's where the difference lies.

I think the biggest difference was that Sane was instantly rewarded for his excellent performances whilst he was at his best & immediately went up a level, thus playing with sharper players & learning, wheras Barker was ignored & actually lost a bit of form as the season went on hence why so many were writing him off in direct comparison with Sane, when Barker was a bit shit on the day. Since then has kind of stood still a bit whilst Sane has gone from strength to strength. Whether he can get back on track again I've no idea but in ability I think there is little difference.

 

[Dax777]

I think the biggest difference was that Sane was instantly rewarded for his excellent performances whilst he was at his best & immediately went up a level, thus playing with sharper players & learning, wheras Barker was ignored & actually lost a bit of form as the season went on hence why so many were writing him off in direct comparison with Sane, when Barker was a bit shit on the day. Since then has kind of stood still a bit whilst Sane has gone from strength to strength. Whether he can get back on track again I've no idea but in ability I think there is little difference.

Sadly, I have long ago concluded that it is not in the best interest of young players to Join top clubs.

Ours included. Barker's disadvantage was that he didn't have a midtable club with less talent at the experienced level that was willing to fast track young talent. Sane had that and will probably go farther because of it.

Unless you are Messi good as a youngster, you generally never get enough playing time at big clubs. I mean look at DeBryune. He probably would have ended up an average player if he had stayed at Chelsea and sat behind more experienced internationals.

It is a hard question really.

 

[Yates]

This season, yes. But if you compare Sterling's best season, the one with Uruguayan, that season was better than Sane's best.

Yes, Sane seems to have more technical capabilities, but let's not rush to crown him just yet. 3 years from now both should be rounding into their peak, when the truly good pull away from the potential. We'd know for sure then.

Right now they are both inconsistent kids with high potential.

I'm not crowning anyone, when I look at Sane, I see a better footballer than Sterling and I believe both working under Pep will improve them both and I feel Sane will continue to be a better footballer. I could be wrong, have been many times before, I'd just be glad to see so many aspiring young talents rock up at City with Pep in charge.