Gundogan explains why Sane has struggled for Bayern and Germany

Stefan Bienkowski
Stefan Bienkowski
  • Updated: 19 Jun 2021 15:37 BST
In-Sane! How champions Bayern threw away €75m on transfers
© ProShots - In-Sane! How champions Bayern threw away €75m on transfers

Manchester City midfielder believes Leroy Sane has struggled to perform for Bayern Munich and the German national team because he hasn’t started enough games.

Article continues under the video

The winger made the move to Bavaria last summer when Bayern signed Sane from Man City for £40.5 million.

However, since returning to Germany, the 25-year-old attacker has struggled to nail down a consistent run of form or a starting role in Bayern’s first team.

For example, in last season’s Bundesliga campaign Sane started just 18 games and was used as a substitute in 14.

And although the German international still managed to score six goals and bag a further 10 assists in 32 league appearances, Gundogan believes Sane can be even better for club and country if he’s given a starting role more often.

Sane doesn’t find it easy being a substitute’

"Leroy is a player who doesn't find it easy coming on for the last 20 minutes only to start the next game and then be taken off after 60 minutes and play another half-hour," said Gundogan in an interview with Sport1.

"He's someone who has to have that confidence of playing all the time. And when he does play, he's incredible."

Sane came on for the final 16 minutes of Germany’s opening clash with France and struggled to make much of an impact.

As such, Gundogan would like to see the player start more games for his country and provide an attacking threat from the wings that few other players in Jogi Low’s side can offer.

"At City you had the feeling that there was no way around Leroy," said the Man City midfielder.

"That's how it was. He played there with the confidence that he needs for his game. Especially for someone who always takes risks offensively, goes one-on-one and wants to make the difference."

Never miss the next big transfer!

Get the latest transfer insights and analyses directly in your mailbox.