Wednesday 26 July 2017 14:00, UK
Leroy Sane believes the 2017/18 campaign will be the "hardest season" in the Premier League and feels there will be more pressure on him to perform, as the Manchester City winger looks ahead to his second term in England.
City finished third last season in the Premier League, without any silverware, and Sane admits winning the league will be tougher than ever this time around.
"Last season everyone said to me I think it's going to be the hardest season. Now a year on it's again the hardest season," he told Sky Sports News.
"I think that's the special thing about the Premier League because every team wants to buy players, get better and improve more.
"Yes, it will be a very hard season this season."
The Germany international, who says his name should be pronounced "Zarnay", is expecting to make even more of a mark on the Premier League this season than he did last campaign, and says it took him a few months to find his feet in England after arriving from Schalke last August.
"Now will come more pressure because everyone knows I've settled in, but I don't feel the pressure. I want to improve for me and for the team. I want to help them," he added.
City have made over £200m worth of signings already this summer, including three players - Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva - who each cost more than the £37m spent on Sane a year ago.
Sane is not surprised so many top players are keen to join City, who secured another season in the Champions League, and believes the "Pep factor" is only part of the attraction.
"It's a big club that wants to be bigger. Every player wants to come and be a part of it, and also come to work with Pep Guardiola," he said.
"He's one of the best coaches in the world and you can learn a lot from him."
The 21-year-old netted his first Champions League goal for the side in their last-16 second leg 3-1 defeat to Monaco in March and a month later marked the "special moment" in his own way, with a permanent reminder tattooed across the whole of his back.
Work on the inking began in April and continued throughout early summer and, reflecting on the goal, Sane revealed featuring in football's most decorated tournament was something he dreamed of as a child.
"It's me when I scored against Monaco last season. It was a special moment for me because as a kid it was a dream to play in the Champions League," he added.
