Leroy Sane’s move to Galatasaray this summer looked set to be a fresh chapter for the German winger, but early signs suggest the transition hasn’t been smooth.
After joining the Turkish champions from Bayern Munich for £12 million, Sane is already facing criticism that he may be underestimating the demands of Turkish football.
Struggles on the Pitch
Sane’s start at Galatasaray has been underwhelming. He didn’t feature at all in the team’s Champions League win over Liverpool, with manager Okan Buruk leaving him off the bench entirely.
Across nine appearances in all competitions so far, the 29-year-old has scored just one goal — far below the expectations many had for a player of his experience.
Former Galatasaray midfielder Alparslan Erdem, who played 86 games across several Turkish clubs, has publicly warned Sane about the pitfalls of underestimating the league.
“I think he wasn’t fit enough and has to get along first.
Galatasaray won against Liverpool without Sane. He didn’t even play a minute, that’s saying something,” Erdem told Bild.
Lessons From Experience
Erdem highlighted the importance of being fully prepared and fit, noting that even players like Hakim Ziyech struggled when not at their best.
“He may think that Gala can be done without one hundred percent, but football is not like that.
No matter where you play, if you’re not one hundred percent fit, it happens very quickly and you’re suddenly in the second division. He has to be careful,” Erdem added.
Despite the warning, Erdem believes that Sane has support in the squad. “I think İlkay Gündoğan will help him a lot because Ilkay is a leader.
He’ll do it,” he said, pointing to the former Manchester City teammate now at Galatasaray as a positive influence.
Sane’s Career So Far
Sane’s journey in football has been impressive. He first moved from Schalke to Manchester City for £54 million, where he won eight trophies, including two Premier League titles, scoring 39 goals and providing 44 assists in 135 games.
He then moved to Bayern Munich in 2020, adding 61 goals in 220 appearances, including 13 goals in 45 matches last season.
Despite Bayern’s interest in extending his contract, Sane opted for a new challenge in Turkey.
Former Tottenham midfielder and now TV pundit Rafael van der Vaart criticized the move, telling Dutch outlet RAN, “I think Sane’s development is simply a shame. He threw away his own career.”
Even German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann has noted that Sane must stand out more to secure a place in the squad, saying, “He has to stand out more. I need a certain quota.”
Pressure to Perform in Turkey
Sane’s move to Galatasaray was expected to see him shine as a key figure, but the early struggles highlight how different leagues can pose unique challenges.
With expectations high, the German winger now faces the task of proving himself, adapting to a new environment, and regaining the form that made him a star in England and Germany.