Newly proposed Champions League dates provide huge boost for £90m-rated Manchester City speedster – opinion

UEFA announced that the date for the Champions League final has been pushed back to the 27 June due to the tournament’s postponement, owing to outbreak of COVID-19. It is not yet clear whether the delay will have a significant effect on the majority of sides remaining in the competition; however, Manchester City could receive a considerable boost from the newly arranged dates. The Premier League champions have been without Leroy Sane since the very first match of the season when the German international suffered a long-term knee injury in the Community Shield win over Liverpool.

The flying winger has not featured for the Citizens in any competition since but is in training and approaching match fitness. When the Champions League does return to action Pep Guardiola’s side will have to overcome Real Madrid in their second leg, after beating the team from the Spanish capital 2-1 when the sides met previously. Depending on hold long the competition is postponed for, there is a good chance that Sane may be fit to return and fire City towards their first European title since the 1969/70 European Cup Winners Cup triumph.

In his previous two full seasons at the Etihad Stadium Sane has been an imperious force down the Sky Blues’ left-wing. The 21-cap German international has recorded 28 and 27 goals and assists combined across the Premier League and Champions League during that period, as per WhoScored. His astonishing capability to not only find the net himself but create chances for others has made him a standout performer for Guardiola’s side, and he is valued at £90m (Transfermarkt). There can be no doubt that his return to the fold for the reigning Premier League champions would be a significant boost in their bid to lift the Champions League for the first time.

It is still not certain that the Champions League will go ahead on the dates suggested by UEFA, but should the competition be staged in late June, Manchester City have a fantastic shot at being crowned champions. After their first leg away victory over Real Madrid, they have one foot in the semi-finals, and Sane’s return could help the Sky Blues go all the way.