WARNOCK: SANE REMINDS OF RYAN GIGGS

Stephen Warnock says Manchester City’s in-form winger Leroy Sane is “the closest thing to Ryan Giggs in years”.

Leroy Sane impressed in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat of Bournemouth and scored his sixth goal of the season during Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Watford.

Warnock, who made 212 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, Blackburn and Aston Villa, was full of praise for the winger on Football Centre.

He said, “Leroy Sane is the closest thing to [former Manchester United winger] Ryan Giggs we’ve seen in years. His ability to glide past players makes it look effortless.

“I love old-fashioned wingers, he reminds me of when Arsenal had wingers like Marc Overmars. With Manchester City dominating possession most of the time, they can hold that width and, one against one, they’re devastating.”

Sane was not the only City player Warnock had praise for, however. He has also been very impressed by goalkeeper Ederson.

Asked about the Brazilian, who has kept eight Premier League clean sheets this season, Warnock added, “When you look at their key players, Ederson is one of those. Everything works when he’s playing.

“If he’s pressed, he’s got the no-look pass. And, when the whole opposition press high, he’s got a raking pass to find players like Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez, who stay high and wide”.

City were without key forwards Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero at Vicarage Road against Watford as they head into a busy fixture schedule.

They still have seven games to play in December but Warnock thinks manager Pep Guardiola will have the answers.

Stephen Warnock is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played for Liverpool, Coventry City, Bradford City, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, Leeds United, Derby County, Wigan Athletic and Burton Albion.

He was capped twice by England and was part of the nation’s squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.