Former Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong has suggested that Riyad Mahrez has failed to step up for the team in Leroy Sane’s absence. The Dutchman was speaking on Amazon Prime’s coverage of the fixture at Burnley on Tuesday night in which the Cityzen’s ran out as comfortable winners.
“One of the players they miss as well is Leroy Sane. He was amazing last season, sometimes from the bench,” De Jong told Amazon Prime TV (via Manchester Evening News).
“He didn’t start a lot of games but when he came on he was always that extra threat. He was also stretching teams out when they were tired.”
“If you look at this season, I don’t really see Mahrez really doing that,” De Jong added. “He’s not really in form and they don’t have a lot of options when it comes to players who can give them that bit extra (off the bench). It’s not only defensive worries, it’s something general in the game as well.”
Who is the better winger?
Sane
Mahrez
TIF Tactics – Was De Jong justified in his criticism of Sane?
There isn’t a football team in the world who wouldn’t miss a player of Leroy Sane’s talent but is it somewhat harsh to criticise Mahrez, who is valued at £54m by TransferMarkt, given he has been in and out of the team? The Algerian has scored in two out of City’s last three league games despite only starting in one of them and contrary to De Jong’s thoughts, there are lots of supporters calling for him to be given a regular starting place – with some having called for it to happen months ago.
Sane is expected to return to training in February providing he doesn’t face any further set-backs and will no doubt add even more quality to an already formidable forward line. The competition for places can only be healthy and the simple fact City have such an incredible array of talent to select from only highlights their strength in depth.