German starlet Leroy Sane recently completed his move to Manchester City, making a mega-money transfer to the Etihad from former employers Schalke.
After weeks and weeks of speculation, the 20-year-old became one of Pep Guardiola’s many summer signings, leaving behind the Bundesliga for the prestigious English Premier League.
However, not everyone is impressed with Sane’s move. With the deal expected to rise to £42m through bonuses and incentives, Lothar Matthaus has slammed his compatriot’s switch as a choice made solely on the basis of money.
The five-year deal with the Citizens has made the Schalke ace the second most expensive German player after Mesut Ozil. However, the former Mannschaft captain feels Sane left the Bundesliga too early.
The World Cup winner also tipped the 20-year-old to struggle at the Etihad, writing for Sport Bild:
"Sane will make several times his Schalke wages at Manchester City and that has been decisive in his decision to make the move to the Premier League.
"I cannot come up with any other reason. He was playing at a real traditional club at Schalke. I would have advised him to stay put for at least one more season. He will struggle at City.
"I do not have any doubts that he has the ability to enjoy a very successful career. He is fast, has great technique and does not seem to feel any pressure. He could have done that at Schalke where people were counting on him and challenging him.
"He will no longer be enjoying this comfort-zone at City. Pep Guardiola will be more than busy to impose his own philosophy at City. He will not have the time to give Sane extra attention when things are not going as planned."
