Leroy Sané has said he isn’t threatened by Manchester City’s potential January signing Alexis Sanchez, claiming that healthy competition is always positive.
The German winger, who operates on the left wing for City, has been in sensational form this season. Along with Raheem Sterling, the young duo have been instrumental in seeing the Citizens storm the Premier League this season.
Now with Sanchez the subject of a £20million bid, Sané explains that if City do sign the Chilean (also left-sided), he wouldn’t be worried by the competition.
Speaking exclusively to The Guardian, Sané said;
No, it doesn’t worry me personally. He’s a very good player. If he comes to us – I don’t know it will happen – he can help us.
No player would say: ‘Oh I hope he doesn’t come.’ Every one of us is playing really well right now and everyone has confidence. But there are so many games – so everyone is going to get games.
Sané also highlighted how crucial it is to be pushed and challenged, continuing;
If you don’t get challenged, then you can’t find out how good you are. Even if he is better, you can look up to him, learn and try to improve with him.
That makes you a better player. Even if someone like that comes in and is in front of you – if he plays more – the target is to get in front of him in the first XI. So it makes you work harder.
Sané praised Pep Guardiola too, who he feels is constantly improving him. He said;
He improves me a lot since day one that I was here. My complete game – how I play, how I have to move, in the space, when I don’t have the ball, when I have the ball. It’s quite impressive how he can help you to improve – it’s very good for the player and for the team.
I played against his Bayern Munich and I could see how they could play. It was amazing; it was not so comfortable to play against them.
I needed a little time to settle (after signing for City), to know the Premier League, the people here, how they are and to know the players. I had to find my confidence. Pep told me to play with freedom like [Lionel] Messi, not like Messi – it’s impossible.
Be free like Messi, have fun, do things like he wants from a striker like the end of the space [near goal] – take the option to shoot or give an assist.
Manchester City sit atop of the Premier League table, 15 points ahead of rivals Manchester United in second place. The Sky Blues’ face Liverpool on at Anfield on Sunday.
