Sane: Pep has turned me into a better player – City special

LEROY Sane has credited Pep Guardiola for turning him into one of the Premier League’s hottest young properties.

The City winger burst into life in January after a slow, injury-hit start to life with the Blues.

And after scoring eight goals in his last 17 appearances, Sane was included on the shortlist for the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award.

Sane was again impressive in the 3-0 win at Southampton, scoring the killer second goal and troubling the Saints defence with his pace and willingness to take on the fullback.

He arrived at City in the summer with a £37m price tag, after being singled out by Guardiola as a prime target for his transformation of the Blues.

Sane was one of the most exciting young talents in the Bundesliga in his Schalke days, but his time at City stalled before he could show anything.

He picked up a hamstring injury in pre-season training, and did not make his debut until he went on as a substitute in the 2-1 derby win at United in September.

And then the new boy struggled to find his feet in the Premier League at first, not making a league start until October – with Guardiola guiding him through those early days.

“He has made me a more complete player,” Sane told M.E.N. Sport. “Sometimes I have to play in the middle, against some teams, although mostly I play wide.

“He has made me look more at the details, to keep the ball better, to be more aggressive in my action when I get the ball.”

Sane has become a potent attacking weapon for City in the last three months, so it was something of a surprise when Germany legend Michael Ballack suggested a positional move might be on the cards for the 21-yearold.

Ballack said that Sane had a big future for the national team, but said he could also play left-back or left wing-back.

Sane was a little perplexed when asked whether he had ever seen himself as a full-back, but answered politely. “That’s not my favourite position! I don’t like it really, as I have played all of my career in attack and I am happy to play there,” he said. Sane has starred in a City attack which thrives on pace and relies on the creativity of David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne – and it was those two who combined brilliantly to lay Sane’s latest goal on a plate for him at St Mary’s. “It was a very nice goal from the whole team as we won the ball in midfield and made a very quick attack,” he said. “I am happy to play with players like David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne because they know how I play and what my movements are – they know exactly how to play the ball.” Sane is relishing the FA Cup semifinal against Arsenal a little more than most, having scored twice against them already this season. The German opened his City account at the Etihad Stadium in the 2-1 league win in December, and then scored early in the 2-2 draw at the Emirates earlier this month.

Pep has helped me to be more aggressive in my action when I get the ball Leroy Sane