Benjamin Mendy's form for Man City among reasons why Leroy Sane is struggling for playing time

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  • Leroy Sane returns to Schalke with City.

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shocked fans and pundits by leaving Leroy Sane out of his starting line-up for the first two Premier League games.

    Sane was one of City’s best player during their record-breaking campaign last season and was voted the Premier League’s Young Player of The Year.

    The German international is a nightmare to defend against due to his electric pace, immaculate ball control and terrific balance, making him one of the league’s best wingers.

    Sane managed to get his name on the scoresheet ten times last term, whilst also assisting 15 goals as City stormed to the Premier League title.

    However, he was left out of the German World Cup squad and even though he managed to score against Liverpool during their US tour, Guardiola saw that he was slightly off the pace during pre-season.

    He said: “He needs more minutes and he needs to regain his principles in terms of playing without the ball. He has the talent to do that. Still, he is far away from his best.”

    So, why has the 22-year-old only been given 17 minutes of top flight action so far this season?

    Keeping him fresh for later in the season

    One possible explanation could be that Guardiola is saving the pacey German for when the fixture list becomes congested.

    Sane was given 14 minutes against Huddersfield Town and he showed why he is such an attacking weapon when he outpaced a defender to assist City’s sixth goal of the afternoon.

    Guardiola knows that City will be challenging in four competitions this season, and it could be that the manager wants to keep Sane fresh and ready for a tough schedule.

    Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was well-known for deploying a similar tactic with Park Ji-sung and it worked wonders for the Red Devils during long European away fixtures.

    Sane also endured a slow start last season and only managed to score two goals in the first five league matches. His best form came deeper into the season and that could be his time to shine once again this year.

    Leroy Sane produced his best in the second half of last season

    Leroy Sane produced his best in the second half of last season

    The return of Benjamin Mendy

    French left-back Mendy almost missed the entire season last year with a knee injury, meaning that Sane’s attacking drive on the left flank was much needed.

    Mendy has returned this campaign though, and that has led Guardiola to incorporate the full-back higher up the pitch, almost as a left winger.

    The former Monaco defender has been one of City’s biggest attacking threats this season and has already registered three assists in just two matches.

    With Mendy playing so far up on the left side, there’s not much need for Sane to play at the same time. Given the Frenchman’s fine form, it’s difficult to see Guardiola shift him further back to accommodate Sane.

    Benjamin Mendy

    Benjamin Mendy

    Riyad Mahrez providing extra competition

    City secured the signature of Mahrez for £60m over the summer to boost their attacking department and with so many options at his disposal, Guardiola knows that he must rotate his team.

    Mahrez, who won the PFA Player of The Year award during Leicester City’s title winning season in 2015/16, started City’s first fixture against Arsenal.

    Their quest for the quadruple was cut short last season as they suffered multiple injuries, leaving them with a very thin squad, with Guardiola even naming only six substitutes in a Carabao Cup match against Leicester.

    Many of the first team players were required to play every three days which was taking its toll on them, but signing Mahrez gives the manager a chance to rotate his front line on a weekly basis.

    Sane is still young and undoubtedly, City will be desperate to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future, but just as midfielder Bernardo Silva had to adjust and play as a wing-back in this new formation, the Germn must quickly adapt to the new demands of his manager if he is to break back into the starting line-up.

    Riyad Mahrez

    Riyad Mahrez

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