Philippe Sandler explains why he had to leave Man City

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Philippe Sandler felt he had to leave Manchester City in order to finally get some regular football after a frustrating period with injuries.

Centre-back Sandler, 24, had been in and around Pep Guardiola's first team for periods of his three-and-a-half-year spell at City, but a mixture of under-par loans and a long-term injury last year halted his progress and he only made two substitute appearances for the Blues.

Now at a new club in Feyenoord having sealed a late January transfer, Sandler has reflected on his reasons for calling time on his City career.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Sandler said he felt he had no choice but to start afresh with a permanent move. “Of course, it’s a pity on the one hand, but for me, this was the moment I felt I had to leave”, he said. “I feel that my body really needs it to play a game every week." However, his time at City was not wasted, as Sandler praised manager Pep Guardiola for his meticulous approach to training from even the simplest drill. "I learned a lot from Guardiola.