Leroy Sane looking to emulate Arjen Robben - in number and style - at Bayern Munich
As if European champions Bayern Munich's squad wasn't star-studded enough, they have Leroy Sane to add to the mix next season… and the former Manchester City winger has designs on emulating club legend Arjen Robben.
Sane completed a belated move to Bayern from the former English Premier League champions in July after overcoming a ruptured cruciate ligament. Having contributed 30 goals and 37 in all competitions across his previous two full seasons, the excitement at Sane's acquisition is understandable.
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Sane played the majority of his games for City on the left wing, and looked most likely to challenge Kingsley Coman for that spot in the Bayern side - especially with Philippe Coutinho returning to Barcelona and a permanent deal for Ivan Perisic yet to be concluded - but the player himself would like to line up on the opposite flank.
"My favourite position's on the right wing, that's where I feel most comfortable," Sane explained to Kicker with a statement that's sure to prick Serge Gnabry's ears. "But I've got no problem on the left. At City, I usually played on the left; in my youth and at Schalke, on the right. Pep [Guardiola] pushed me to the left, it helped me. Many players can only play on one side…"
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Sane will inherit Robben's No.10 jersey at Bayern, most recently worn by Coutinho and previously sported by club legends such as Lothar Matthäus, Mehmet Scholl and Stefan Effenberg. The Germany international avoided wearing the number at his official unveiling out of respect to the incumbent, Coutinho, but is excited to pull it on, potentially as soon as Bayern's trip to fifth-tier FC Düren in the DFB Cup on 11 September.
"The No.10 means a lot to me," Sane continued. "It's still very well respected, many great players have worn it. For me, the 10 is a little extra motivation." And will he cut inside from the right and score with his left, like Robben? "I hope it will happen every now and then," he concluded with a smile.
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