Shaka Hislop has expressed his shock at what has happened to Sadio Mane at Bayern Munich despite his ‘huge’ success in the colours of Liverpool.
Last summer, Liverpool fans dreaded when the nightmare situation became a reality and that’s when Sadio Mane headed for the exit door to join Bayern Munich.
The 30-year-old was at the top of his game, everyone was expecting him to work wonders, but as former Premier League goalkeeper Hislop pointed out, he just hasn’t looked the same, as he told ESPN.
Injuries played their part, but he can’t use that as an excuse, as both the player and Liverpool went backwards last season.
Now it seems as though the Senegal star is free to leave Thomas Tuchel’s side this summer, with Newcastle United expressing interest in the player.
Despite those troubles, Hislop still thinks that Mane can and will be an ‘incredible asset’ to the ‘cue of clubs’ that will still be willing to sign him this summer.
“I am (surprised it turned out this way with Mane), in a lot of respects,” said Hislop. “I sympathise with Sadio Mane because I think he is an incredible talent and he has shown that over the years.
“But he leaves Liverpool where he was such a huge part of their successes. He goes to a Bayern Munich team, who over the years, have been one of the best-run football clubs in the world.
“They lose their talisman in Robert Lewandowski. He’s not a direct replacement. Even though it seems as though there were those expectations. But then, as we come to realise, particularly at the end of the season, there was just so much going on behind the scenes with Bayern Munich that it didn’t seem like the club that we know or Mane expected to be joining.
“That and his inability to come back from his injury cost him dearly – I think the best thing for them is to part ways and I think there will be a cue of clubs willing to sign Sadio Mane, despite his performances during the past 12 months – when he is on it, he is an incredible asset to have.”
Mane needs to leave
The Champions League winner in Madrid just needs to bite the bullet and accept this transfer just didn’t work out.
With a lot of big names heading to Saudi Arabia, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mane drives towards the Middle East if the big money is put on the table.
But, equally, outside of Munich, whether it’s in Italy, back to the Premier League or in Spain, he is still worthy of playing for a top team in that division.
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