Kingsley Coman Has Plenty of Time to Fulfil His Potential, Even if Leroy Sane Does Join Bayern Munich

One of the consequences from the Bundesliga's empty stadiums is the clear transmission of on-field commotion. The ping of a well-hit pass is a wonderful benefit while the heavy panting brings the reality of the players' physical exertion into stark focus.

But there is no reverberation more pronounced than that of the Bayern Munich players forcefully lamenting the end product, or lack thereof, of their teammate Kingsley Coman.

The indignant shrieks of 'King?!' echo around the cavernous Allianz Arena almost as often as the smattering of applause which follow each goal Die Roten batter into the net.

Bayern's flying winger was the first to be substituted as the defending Bundesliga champions took a huge stride towards securing another league title by defeating Dortmund 1-0 away from home on Tuesday.

Coman's early exit was just one example of the frustrating season the Frenchman has endured this campaign - with just two goals and as many assists to his name in 18 Bundesliga outings.

Now in his fifth season with the Bavarian giants, Coman is still somehow only 23 years of age. The Paris-born forward has bounced between Europe's elite since joining Paris Saint-Germain's youth ranks at the age of nine. A 12-month stint with Juventus was sandwiched between his arrival in Germany, initially on loan, before joining permanently for £18.9m.

This glittering career has seen Coman already collect 11 major domestic prizes. However, the fact that the 23-year-old has only played 16 games for every trophy won points towards his battle with injuries as much as the efficiency of the 'super-clubs'.

During five seasons with Bayern, the France international has completed the full 90 minutes, across all competitions just 48 times. In that span, he's missed 76 games with injury.

Last season, shortly after returning from ankle surgery, Coman candidly expressed his frustrations, lamenting: "I hope I don't have to relive what I've been through, enough is enough. I will not accept a third operation – it will mean maybe my foot is not made for this level.

"I will then lead another life, an anonymous life."

This season the injury woes continued as he landed awkwardly against Tottenham in the Champions League, twisting his knee resulting in another two months spent on the sidelines. However, the 23-year-old is yet to hang up his boots and although his actions often illicit vocal condemnation from his teammates, his meek output this season may be a harsh reflection of his talent.

Coman's underlying numbers have improved year on year; he's taking shots from much better locations while maintaining a consistent rate of pulling the trigger and his combined expected goals and assists rate is the highest it's been in his career to date.

In Bayern's first season without one of Franck Ribéry or Arjen Robben for more than a decade, Coman and Serge Gnabry have served as admirable replacements on the flanks. However, this has not stemmed the ever-growing tide of rumours linking Bayern with one of the world's elite wingers; Leroy Sané.

Manchester City's German speed merchant is just returning to peak fitness, having missed the entirety of the 2019/20 campaign as he pulled up in the Community Shield - which, prior to kickoff, was rumoured to be his last appearance for the club anyway with a move to Bayern near completion.

Nine months later and Sané finally appears to be on his way to Bavaria, but this time, Coman could be going in the other direction. While both players share favourable qualities, the main difference is Sané's left-footedness. Stationing the German on the left flank, making the pitch as wide as possible with chalk on his boots, was a key weapon as Pep Guardiola's City won 198 points and two Premier League titles in as many seasons.

Sané's link up with Raheem Sterling on the other flank produced a healthy supply of easy goals and his absence this season, along with a myriad of other factors, has been a key reason for City's failure to replicate their startling form.

Now devoid of Sané, Sterling has often started on the left, cutting onto his right, which has coincided with a dip in the Englishman's form. While Coman is capable on his weaker side, it remains just that; his weaker side.

However, Coman - who has been coy concerning his future - would be reuniting with Guardiola, the man who brought him to Germany back in 2015 and the person he described as the most influential manager he's had. Coman explained: "For a player in my position, a winger who likes to hit and provoke, he is the best coach we can have because that is what he demands us the most."

The pair would pose an exciting partnership if they were to reconvene but Coman doesn't necessarily need the move to reignite a career which is ticking along quite nicely. Unlike his darting runs in behind, Coman's professional path has been one of steady progression, cruelly punctuated by injuries, but enjoying a healthy upward trend nonetheless.

Whether in Munich or Manchester, the future looks rosy for the jet-heeled youngster.