Man City: Sane’s injury shows why they needed Alexis Sanchez
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Manchester City stayed on track for a historic quadruple with a 2-0 win over Cardiff City in the FA Cup on Sunday. But it came at a cost.
The league leaders could be without Leroy Sane for a month after he was caught by an ugly challenge from Cardiff’s Joe Bennett. Sane is 7/4 second-favourite to be named Young Player of the Year this season and will be badly missed.
City have the squad to cope with injuries in most areas. But they’re short of options in attack. It’s one of the reasons they were so keen to bring in Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal.
The Chilean scores and makes plenty of goals. He can play anywhere across the front line too.
As they missed out on him, Pep Guardiola’s only fit forwards are Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling. Sterling is 7/2 to score first against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, but an injury to either of those two in the next few weeks could risk City’s entire season.
They play in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final next month. It’s going to be hard for Aguero and Sterling to cope without any support.
Guardiola could push one of his attacking midfielders further forward. But none of them have Sane’s searing pace and would change the balance of the side.
With three days of the transfer window to go, City still have time to bring in an attacking option. They’ve got the money to do it too.
The club are on the verge of bringing in another centre-back. But they already have four central defenders in the squad. Guardiola may not be a big fan of all of them (mainly Eliaquim Mangala), but there’s good depth there.
That’s not the case up front. And it could cost the club if they don’t add an attacker before the transfer window shuts.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
