Leroy Sane (Part 1)

Leroy Aziz Sane, born on January 11, 1996, is a German professional footballer renowned for his pace and dribbling prowess. He currently serves as a winger for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and represents the Germany national team.
Sané commenced his professional career with Schalke 04 in 2014 before making a notable move to Manchester City in 2016, for an initial fee of 37 million. His outstanding performances earned him recognition, and he was awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year for the season, becoming the first and only German player to receive this accolade. During his time at Manchester City, Sane contributed significantly to the team's triumphs in the Premier League and EFL Cup.Sane made his debut for the senior Germany national team and was a member of the squad that reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016.


Leroy Aziz Sane was born on January 11, 1996, in Essen, Germany, and grew up near the Lohrheidestadion in Wattenscheid. He comes from a family with a rich sporting background. His mother, Regina Weber, is a former German rhythmic gymnast and won a bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics. His father, Souleymane Sané, is a former footballer who represented Senegal internationally.
Sané's father, Souleymane, has roots in France and moved to Germany after his service in the French Army. He met Regina Weber while playing professionally for SG Wattenscheid 09. Leroy was named in honor of Claude Le Roy, a former head coach of his father. Sané's family has a strong footballing connection, with his brothers, Kim and Sidi, also being involved in the sport, having played for the youth teams or second XIs of prominent German football clubs.


Leroy Sane made a significant move to the Premier League by joining Manchester City. He signed a five-year contract for a reported transfer fee of 37 million, with additional performance related add-ons potentially increasing the total fee to 46.5 million. Sane quickly made his mark, debuting in a memorable 1–2 victory in the Manchester derby against Manchester United on September 10. His first goal for City came in a crucial 2–1 home win against Arsenal in the Premier League on December 18.
Despite facing a spell on the sidelines due to injury, Sané returned with aplomb. He scored in a 2–2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on January 21, 2017. Shortly after, he found the net in a 3–0 away win over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fourth round match on January 28.


Sane continued his scoring streak with notable contributions in various competitions. He scored in a thrilling 5–3 comeback win over Monaco in the Champions League round of 16 first leg match on February 21. This was followed by goals in the FA Cup fifth round replay against Huddersfield Town on March 1 and a Premier League win over Sunderland on March 5.
In the return fixture against Monaco in the Champions League, Sane again found the net, albeit in a losing effort, as City were knocked out of the tournament on away goals. Despite this disappointment, he remained a consistent scorer, notching goals against Arsenal and Southampton in April.


During the following season, Sane revealed that his debut season at City had been affected by his inability to breathe through his nose. Chronic nasal congestion had hampered his performance and caused intense frustration. Opting for corrective surgery during the off-season break, he missed the FIFA Confederations Cup but aimed to enter the next season feeling healthier and happier.
During the 2017–18 season, Leroy Sane showcased his attacking prowess for Manchester City. He began the season with a bang, scoring his first two goals against Liverpool in a commanding 5–0 home win on September 9, 2017. This was followed by impressive performances, including two goals in a 2–1 away victory over West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup third-round match on September 20.


Sane goal-scoring spree continued with strikes against Crystal Palace, Stoke City, Burnley, and West Bromwich Albion in subsequent league fixtures. His consistent performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for October 2017.
Throughout the season, Sane played a crucial role in Manchester City successes. He contributed goals in various competitions, including the FA Cup, League Cup, and Premier League. Notably, he scored in the League Cup final as City defeated Arsenal 3–0 to clinch their first trophy under Pep Guardiola.


Sane outstanding performances did not go unnoticed, as he was voted the PFA Young Player of the Year for his contributions to Manchester City's Premier League title win in the season. His impressive tally of 15 assists narrowly missed out on winning the inaugural Premier League Playmaker of the Season award.
Sané continued to make significant contributions to Manchester City success. He scored crucial goals, including the winning goal against Liverpool, which resulted in their first league defeat of the season. Additionally, he displayed his skill and composure with a stunning free-kick goal in the Champions League round of 16 tie against his former club, Schalke.


Sane remarkable performance in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 clash against Schalke, where he provided three assists and scored a goal, helped Manchester City secure a 7–0 victory and advance to the quarter-finals of the competition. He further showcased his ability in the Manchester derby, scoring the decisive second goal to secure a vital win for City over rivals Manchester United.
Leroy Sané's future at Manchester City became uncertain amidst repeated links with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. With club legends Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben departing, Sane emerged as a prime candidate to fill the void left by these influential figures. Reports suggested that a deal to bring Sané to Bayern was close to completion.


However, fate took a cruel turn for Sane during the FA Community Shield match against Liverpool. Named in the starting lineup, Sane hopes were dashed when he suffered a torn ACL just 10 minutes into the game. This devastating injury not only ruled him out for the majority of the season but also put an abrupt end to negotiations with Bayern Munich until his recovery was complete.
Amidst the recovery process, in June 2020, Sane made a significant decision regarding his future at Manchester City. He rejected a contract extension offered by the club, signaling his intention to seek opportunities elsewhere. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Sane departure from the club, paving the way for his exit in the summer transfer window.
Sane journey took a turbulent turn due to the untimely injury, but his talent and potential remained undeniable, attracting interest from top clubs across Europe as he looked to embark on the next chapter of his career.

References

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