Player Focus: Teen Talents Coman & Sane in Spotlight as France Host Germany

It’s fair to say that while an international break is often met by more than the odd grumble there is plenty of intrigue around not only the Euro qualifying play-offs but also a glamorous batch of friendlies.

The brief hiatus from domestic action allows governing bodies of some of Europe’s finer footballing nations to arrange fixtures that are a significantly stiffer test than they have faced in qualifying ahead of next summer’s tournament in France. England, who sailed through a very weak group, are preparing for matches against Spain and the 2016 hosts, while Didier Deschamps men welcome Germany before a trip to Wembley and new world number one Belgium play Italy and Vicente del Bosque’s reigning European champions.

It’s the repeat of the 2014 World Cup quarter-final between France and eventual victors Germany that perhaps stands out among them for a number of reasons. The two nations currently rank as the favourites to win next summer’s Euros outright with the bookmakers, with Die Mannschaft just ahead of Les Bleus in the odds with bet365 (@4.00 to @4.33).

Both squads include a number of notable call-ups, with Hatem Ben Arfa returning to a France squad including Anthony Martial. While the United forward has unsurprisingly attracted plenty of attention following a record-breaking transfer fee for a player under the age of 20, however, two other teenagers could make their international debuts in Friday night’s showcase fixture.

Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane could face off at one stage or another and the prospect of both being on display will excite the fans of their respective nations having each made impressive starts to the Bundesliga campaign. Coman, following an eye-catching switch to Bayern Munich from Juventus, has quickly adapted to the intense demands of Pep Guardiola at the Allianz, while Sane already looks capable of following in the footsteps of Schalke predecessor and international teammate Julian Draxler.

For Coman in particular this opportunity to impress Didier Deschamps may be crucial. The 19-year old may only have started 7 of 10 appearances for Bayern across the league and Champions League but that is more than most, perhaps himself included, may have anticipated. Injuries to oft-unavailable duo Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben have offered the teenager ample playing time and while he has shone in that time - garnering a sensational WhoScored rating across the two aforementioned competitions of 7.81 - the return of the flying Dutchman could see his chances restricted given the mercurial talent of fellow summer signing Douglas Costa.

When just considering league appearances Coman’s rating of 7.70 is the highest of all teenagers in Europe’s top 5 leagues. Meanwhile he is one of only four players to register three or more assists in the Champions League and with a further two in the Bundesliga it’s his ability to create chances - with 26 key passes this season - that has not only been most impressive but also most surprising.

With a further 2 goals and 3.3 dribbles per game in Germany’s top-flight - enough to rank third - he has rightly drawn praise from his manager; "Coman is very important for Bayern. He has always done very well for us and I can only say good things about him." Deschamps said upon his decision to call the youngster up for France, "Kingsley is a player with immense potential. There is a lot of competition for places at Bayern, but he has been playing regularly.” Continuing to clock up minutes will likely be key to his chances of securing a place at the Euros.

Sane meanwhile, is another player that, having emerged last season with a bang - a goal on his Champions League debut against Real Madrid no less - is seeing more and more action this time around. The sale of Draxler has certainly allowed for that, though new Schalke boss Andre Breitenreiter is still cautious of demanding too much from the next big thing in Gelsenkirchen.

The son of former Senegalese international Souleyman Sane and a German gymnast champion, it’s little surprise the 19-year old is such an impressive athlete at a young age, though he is a player Schalke nearly let slip through the net. Having left the club for Bundesliga rivals Leverkusen at the age of just 12 he would return three years later. However, whether Die Knappen will keep hold of him at the second time of asking for much longer seems unlikely given what Sane’s new manager describes as his ‘rapid development’ this season.

Sane has started 10 of 16 appearances for Schalke across the league and Europa League and has had a direct hand in 9 goals already (5 goals, 4 assists). An excellent WhoScored rating of 7.37 from said outings is lower than that of Coman but his performances have understandably excited German fans concerned that their side have regressed since the World Cup win last year nonetheless.

Sane fits the mould of compatriots Reus and Bellarabi as a direct threat from either flank and while he is unlikely to immediately force his way into competitive international action he offers a fantastic threat from the bench. Indeed, in 6 substitute appearances the youngster has scored three goals and registered an assist for a rating of 7.29, also offering impressive defensive work rate - averaging 1.8 tackles per league game - to supplement his undoubted ability in attack.

With German sports magazine Kicker suggesting that Sane will be rewarded for his superb start to the season with a debut from the off in France, he may well be fighting for the limelight with another potential newcomer. If both he and Coman feature that is a mouth-watering prospect at present, friendly or not.

Which player do you think has made a stronger start to the season; Coman or Sane? Let us know in the comments below