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2 failed loans, released after 4 months – 25 y/o’s Man City exit hasn’t gone to plan [Opinion]

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Philippe Sandler looked to have a bright future upon his move to Manchester City in 2018, but the 25-year-old struggled for playing time in England and has ended up a free agent with a dwindling stock after two failed loan moves and an unsuccessful transfer.

Sandler failed to make a single appearance in City’s first-team, instead featuring in 10 games for the U23s. The centre-back, who’s represented Netherlands at youth level, made the matchday squad a handful of times but was mostly frozen out due to stiff competition for playing time.

Ruben Dias, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake kept Sandler from getting opportunities, but injuries also played their part. The 25-year-old had surgery on his knee and ankle during his time at City, missing months of football, so his development took a big hit.

Sandler would be loaned out to RSC Anderlecht (2019/20) and Troyes (2021/22) as playing time wasn’t going to come at the Etihad Stadium, but the Dutch defender made just 11/32 appearances and 2/19 appearances respectively due to injury.

City finally gave up on Sandler in January, releasing him to Feyenoord, but his stint only last four months before the Eredivisie side opted against signing him beyond the summer. So the 25-year-old Ajax graduate who was once tipped for a bright career is now out in the cold and without a club.

In other news, Pep Guardiola made mistake selling Angelino

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.