Leroy Sane’s departure left a tremendous hole to be filled in City’s left hand side in terms of output, width, directness in play and the obvious cutting edge that he brings. Keeping that in mind, in this THREAD I used Data to find potential replacements for Sané at Man City.
Sane’s x-factor has been dearly missed at City; 2018 PL YPOTY winner + finished the season with 25 G/A, and managed to register 20 GA the next season too. One of only 2 players to register double digits in output across the 2 seasons (the other being Raheem Sterling).
In order to arrive at a sample size of players that may be able to fit into city’s attacking model, the only initial filters that were set:
-LEFT FOOTED left wingers across Europe’s top 5 leagues having played 8+ 90’s this seasons
-Between 18-25 in age
It’s important to point out that the final pool would also comprise players that are able to operate in variety of roles- i.e AM and RW to broaden the sample size. 4 major facets of a winger’s profile - shooting, goalscoring, creative output and playmaking skill will be measured
Sane was the perfect Guardiola winger. His ability to attack space, disrupt opposition lines with pace, 1v1’s, runs in behind, dribbling and crossing were superb. He’s someone you’d put both in the bracket of creativity and also getting on the scoresheet on a regular basis.
City’s buildup from the LHS of the pitch largely involved the winger (Sane) and the LCM (David Silva) linking up in the middle third as well as final third of the pitch with the latter dropping inside at times- ball progression and xG Buildup can used to quantify these aspects:
City’s buildup from the LHS of the pitch largely involved the winger (Sane) and the LCM (David Silva) linking up in the middle third as well as final third of the pitch with the latter dropping inside at times- ball progression and xG Buildup can used to quantify these aspects:
City’s buildup from the LHS of the pitch largely involved the winger (Sane) and the LCM (David Silva) linking up in the middle third as well as final third of the pitch with the latter dropping inside at times- ball progression and xG Buildup can used to quantify these aspects:
I wanted to look at the intersection of quality in passing and shooting. Shot and pass volume have already been applied as a filter (those with 20+ shots and 30+ passes per game were included) Efficient passing and being clinical in front of goal can be broken down as under:
Sane’s dribbling ability was stellar. He topped charts for both takeons and dribbles completed between 17-19. Could singlehandedly influence games by finding space to create which were key cogs of the sweeping City side of those years. Dribble volume and efficiency:
Sane’s dribbling ability was stellar. He topped charts for both takeons and dribbles completed between 17-19. Could singlehandedly influence games by finding space to create which were key cogs of the sweeping City side of those years. Dribble volume and efficiency:
Sane’s dribbling ability was stellar. He topped charts for both takeons and dribbles completed between 17-19. Could singlehandedly influence games by finding space to create which were key cogs of the sweeping City side of those years. Dribble volume and efficiency:
Sane’s involvement in and around the penalty area was crucial. His measured crossing, incisive passing and ability find space in the box have been a massive miss for city this year. His final 3rd attacking actions were bordering world class by the end of 18/19.
It goes without saying that Sane’s creative numbers were off the charts. Creating chances and setting up his teammates was another unique aspect of his skillset. He regularly featured in the top 5 for GCA, xA and topped the assists charts for two consecutive years.
It goes without saying that Sane’s creative numbers were off the charts. Creating chances and setting up his teammates was another unique aspect of his skillset. He regularly featured in the top 5 for GCA, xA and topped the assists charts for two consecutive years.
It goes without saying that Sane’s creative numbers were off the charts. Creating chances and setting up his teammates was another unique aspect of his skillset. He regularly featured in the top 5 for GCA, xA and topped the assists charts for two consecutive years.
It goes without saying that Sane’s creative numbers were off the charts. Creating chances and setting up his teammates was another unique aspect of his skillset. He regularly featured in the top 5 for GCA, xA and topped the assists charts for two consecutive years.
Further, I used xG Buildup and xG Chain values as a fraction (%) of their respective club’s xG to figure out which players are the most involved in attacking movements for their respective sides:
On a side note, there has a lot been made of Sane being “out of touch” this year but the numbers really don’t suggest so. With the form Coman is in, it’s clear Sane has to be pushed on to the right (a position he hasn’t enjoyed much success in at City) and it hasn’t done him good
It’s clear that a certain pool of players (9 total) are standing out in almost all of the metrics set. I further attempt to measure the no. of open-play chances they created as a portion (%) of the team’s total chances this season to get a more refined view:
It’s clear that a certain pool of players (9 total) are standing out in almost all of the metrics set. I further attempt to measure the no. of open-play chances they created as a portion (%) of the team’s total chances this season to get a more refined view:
It’s clear that a certain pool of players (9 total) are standing out in almost all of the metrics set. I further attempt to measure the no. of open-play chances they created as a portion (%) of the team’s total chances this season to get a more refined view:
Guardiola’s sides usually demand a ton of work from the attacking line in terms of defensive involvement and high pressing out of possession in order to win the ball back as quickly as possible. I compared the shortlisted pool of players:
Individual creative profiles; assessing chances created, crosses, final third passes, key passes and through balls:
And finally, a density plot showing certain players excelling in certain positions. It’s time now to assemble a FINAL LIST of players as a result of this analysis.
This was mainly to understand some of the main profiles that resemble Sane the most. In saying that, you could also just use it to conclude just how good few other, some more obscure players have been this season- Bryan Gil, Raphinha, Nordin, Angelino and of course Phil Foden.
🥉Mikel Oyarzabal
The Spaniard is the most like for like Sane replacement in terms of the role he plays for his side and has been subject to regular links to City in the past. He’s enjoying a brilliant campaign and his goalscoring output speaks for itself. Ready for a big move.
Mikel OyarzabalThe Spaniard is the most like for like Sane replacement in terms of the role he plays for his side and has been subject to regular links to City in the past. He’s enjoying a brilliant campaign and his goalscoring output speaks for itself. Ready for a big move.
Mikel OyarzabalThe Spaniard is the most like for like Sane replacement in terms of the role he plays for his side and has been subject to regular links to City in the past. He’s enjoying a brilliant campaign and his goalscoring output speaks for itself. Ready for a big move.
🥈Jack Harrison
It’s a no brainer that City should be looking to bring him back next season. The Leeds wingpair of him and Raphinha are flourishing in a free scoring campaign under Bielsa. Juggles both creative and attacking duties well. My personal favorite pick.
Jack HarrisonIt’s a no brainer that City should be looking to bring him back next season. The Leeds wingpair of him and Raphinha are flourishing in a free scoring campaign under Bielsa. Juggles both creative and attacking duties well. My personal favorite pick.
Jack HarrisonIt’s a no brainer that City should be looking to bring him back next season. The Leeds wingpair of him and Raphinha are flourishing in a free scoring campaign under Bielsa. Juggles both creative and attacking duties well. My personal favorite pick.
🏅Pedro Neto
The Wolves winger possess Sane’s x-factor and his attacking exploits this season are bordering elite. He can run in behind, beat his man with pace, dribbles brilliantly, crosses well, shoots in volume, is a creative machine and is also PL tested. Bring him in.
Pedro NetoThe Wolves winger possess Sane’s x-factor and his attacking exploits this season are bordering elite. He can run in behind, beat his man with pace, dribbles brilliantly, crosses well, shoots in volume, is a creative machine and is also PL tested. Bring him in.
Pedro NetoThe Wolves winger possess Sane’s x-factor and his attacking exploits this season are bordering elite. He can run in behind, beat his man with pace, dribbles brilliantly, crosses well, shoots in volume, is a creative machine and is also PL tested. Bring him in.
Notable mentions-

Romain Faivre
The AM is enjoying a groundbreaking season in Ligue 1, ranking in the 90th percentile for creative actions, chances created and takeons completed. He is known to drift to both sides of the flank and can dictate play and break lines equally well.
Bryan Gil
This is the season the Eibar player will launch himself onto the scene, and whilst his output is poor, he is a team player - his chance creation share % and dribbling are both impressive. Deployed in an attacking midfield role, he will definitely be one to look for.
The Chelsea game made it clear that City look a lot like their 17/18 self going forward; slick in transition, two 8’s in tandem and wingers stretching the pitch

Finding a player like Sane would indeed be hard, but I hope this has informative. Likes and RT’s always appreciated👍🏻
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