Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claims he will not replace Leroy Sane this summer even though the German star appears almost certain to join Bayern Munich.
The winger’s exit could finally pave the way for Phil Foden to be given the opportunity to show his worth for club and country.
The 20-year-old Englishman was on target in midweek when City re-opened the campaign with a 3-0 win over Arsenal and is in the squad for Monday night’s clash with Burnley.
But he has still only started six Premier League games with Guardiola reluctant to give youth its chance in his trophy-chasing side.
Sane, however, has possibly opened a pathway with his announcement that he will leave the club, either in the summer or at the end of his contract in 12 months.
Even though Foden still faces stiff competition for places, the fact Guardiola says he will not buy a replacement for Sane improves the youngster’s prospects, both at the Etihad and in Gareth Southgate’s England plans.
Guardiola said: “First, Leroy is our player, I don’t know if he is going to leave this summer or at end of contract but we have enough good players up front.
“Gabriel Jesus can play on the left, Phil Foden can play on the left, we have Raheem [Sterling] there.
“Most of them are in good healthy conditions, like Phil, Gabriel, Raheem, Riyad [Mahrez] – they can play quite regularly for a long period of time.
“I think we have other priorities. Coronavirus; the financial situations for the club is changing.”
City face protracted negotiations with Bayern Munich this summer, with the Bundesliga giants apparently the only club Sane is interested in joining and the Germans preparing an opening offer of just £35 million.
And the City manager claimed that the recent coronavirus pandemic has left an air of uncertainty hanging over not only the Sane sale but his own ability to spend in the transfer market.
Guardiola said: “I don’t know with [Sane]. I am not involved in both clubs. There was a lot of talks about Bayern Munich but I was not involved.
“I don’t know right now. The places I was – Barcelona, Bayern and here – when the club say we cannot afford it, we cannot afford it. I don’t know right now.”
Guardiola sends his team out against Burnley at the Etihad on Monday with the City manager looking for left-back Benjamin Mendy to enjoy an uninterrupted run of first team football.
The French international has still only started 28 league games in three years with the Blues, due mostly to a series of debilitating knee injuries – problems his manager hopes are in the past.
He said: “It is our wish, and especially his wish, as he has a special quality with his energy and his potential.
“As a left-back, he is an extraordinary player but he just plays one game since being fit again. We have to hope he can play regularly in this period of two months.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/311Fare
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