Gundogan: Sane can be even better for Man City

Ilkay Gundogan wasn’t surprised by Leroy Sane’s emergence as a Manchester City lynchpin in the second half of the season but is also convinced there is plenty more to come from the youngster.

Midfielder Sane joined City from Schalke last August but it took until December against Arsenal for him to notch his first goal for the club.

However, from there, the 21-year-old never looked back as he terrorised defences for the remainder of the campaign to emerge as one of the most exciting young talents in world football.

IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images

And teammate Gundogan – who moved to the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund last summer and impressed until tearing a cruciate ligament in December – claims he never lost faith in Sane’s ability, even during his fellow German’s early struggles.

“I expected it [Sane’s emergence], to be honest,” said Gundogan. “He is still so young. I knew before that the first few months are the hardest and you just need to keep going.

“It doesn’t matter if you are directly in the team or if you need some time to adapt – it doesn’t matter.

“When you are young, you just have to keep going, never lose your motivation in yourself, and that is exactly what he did.

“He had a few difficult months but that’s very normal for a young guy like him, especially when you’re moving to a new country, with a new language, at 20-years-old.

“When I was 20, I was in Germany. I was around my family, I had everything. I was in my comfort zone. He just went out of it, took the decision for himself for a whole new adventure.

“When you are so young, it’s really difficult and the way he played in the second period of the season is just incredible.

“I am still quite sure there is more potential in him and he can be better next season.”