Pep Guardiola talked about losing Claudio Bravo to injury and the form of Leroy Sane during his latest press conference...
Leroy Sane is returning to the devastating form that saw him take the Premier League by storm last season.
The 22-year-old German has come on as a substitute in both City’s top-flight games so far this season, forcing the sixth goal against Huddersfield in last week’s Etihad Stadium rout.
Sane was also in the football headlines earlier this summer when he was left out of the Germany World Cup squad.
But Guardiola is seeing signs behind the scenes that Sane - who plundered 10 goals and 15 assists in City’s record-breaking Premier League season last term - is back up to full speed.
The Catalan boss said: “In training in the last two weeks I saw the Leroy we know.
“I am delighted with his performance - he arrived late in pre-season and now he is back. That is going to happen. We have six excellent strikers and not all can play. If he doesnt play it doesn’t mean we are not happy with his performance.”
At Friday’s press conference Guardiola refuted the suggestion that Sane takes more time than others to return to peak fitness, or that his World Cup omission has had any lasting impact.
“No, he is ready immediately. He doesn’t need more time, it’s not about that,” Guardiola said. “I think he came back and forgot (about the World Cup). He made pre-season, took some time to settle and now he is ready.
“If he doesn’t play, it doesn’t mean I am angry. Last game Sterling didn’t play even though at Arsenal he was outstanding. Mendy was good at Arsenal, Bernardo is in incredible condition so I gave them an opportunity.”
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