Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and defender Joao Cancelo’s relationship has never been the same since the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup. This tension was starkly highlighted when Guardiola snubbed Cancelo for the recent Community Shield match against Man United, choosing to field Rico Lewis. Once a vital component of the Premier League champions’ starting XI, Cancelo’s position in the squad has dramatically changed over the past two years.
Following the World Cup, Cancelo had a run-in with the Spanish manager as he wanted more game time. Guardiola wasn’t happy with his player’s reaction and their relationship was affected thereafter.
The 30-year-old defender, who had been a crucial part of Man City’s three consecutive Premier League titles moved to foreign leagues to test his fate. Bayern Munich provided him immediate cover and agreed to a loan move in the second half of the 2022/23 season. However, they were not interested in making it a permanent move in the following summer. However, La Liga giants Barcelona took the opportunity with both hands and agreed to a season-long loan move for the talented right-back.
Cancelo repaid the trust placed upon him by enjoying a successful season with Barcelona where he contributed with four goals and five assists in 42 appearances in all competitions. At the end of last season, the Blaugrana’s president Joan Laporta made the fans believe that the club is willing to sign the Man City ace permanently.
While discussing his transfer plans this summer, he told Mundo Deportivo: “We want (the Joãos) to continue. The situation has not changed. I have the news from Deco that Hansi Flick considers them to be players of great quality.”
However, after his loan spell ended, Cancelo returned to City Football Academy for pre-season training. Despite his return, his future at Manchester City remains uncertain. Media outlets like City Xtra published images of his training, yet Cancelo was conspicuously absent from the club’s official website’s photo album, signaling his uncertain status.
Pep Guardiola continues to snub Joao Cancelo
In a further blow to Cancelo, Pep Guardiola decided to leave him out of the squad for the Community Shield match against Manchester United. This bold decision marks a dramatic start to the new Premier League season, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering what’s behind the Spanish tactician’s surprising omission.
The manager’s latest snub against Man United in 2024 Community Shield highlights the fact that Cancelo needs to find a club or risk losing his time on the bench. As per Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona are still interested in a move but the Citizens are asking for them to cover the entire loan fees plus agree to a mandatory buy option in the contract.
Keeping him for too long won’t help Man City but the Spanish side can arrange a deal comfortably.
Hansi Flick will need the management to explore the market for a fresh full-back since Julian Araujo is still too young to feature regularly. Similarly, Jules Kounde has had less impact than Cancelo while making attacking movements.
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The right-back would be calling for help and Barca need to get him out of this situation. The time is ticking for the player and it remains to be seen whether his fortunes change anytime soon. In the end, every footballer needs a chance to prove himself and Cancelo is no different.
