Guardiola raises doubts about Cancelo's fate
The Spanish Pep Guardiola, the coach of Manchester City, raised controversy over the fate of the Portuguese Joao Cancelo, the Citizens player and loaned to Barcelona.
On 28 July 2012, Cancelo made his debut with Benfica's first team in a friendly against Gil Vicente where he played the full 90 minutes as a right back. Despite being registered with the reserve team, he was touted as a possible replacement for Maxi Pereira in the seniors; until 2013 he also represented the juniors, and on 18 May of that year he scored the two decisive goals in a 2–1 win over Rio Ave to win the national championship.
Cancelo played his first competitive game with Benfica's main squad on 25 January 2014, coming on as a late substitute in the 1–0 home success against Gil Vicente for the Taça da Liga, which was later won. His maiden appearance in the Primeira Liga occurred on 10 May after they had already been crowned league champions, and he started in a 2–1 loss in O Clássico against Porto.
Cancelo went out on loan to Barcelona last summer and until the end of the current season.
When Guardiola was asked about Cancelo’s future, and the possibility of his return after the end of his loan, he replied: “We have not discussed Cancelo’s future yet.”
Pep added, according to Fabrizio Romano’s official account, transfer news via “X”: “We will discuss his future at the end of the current season.”
It is noteworthy that Cancelo had previously stated to the Spanish press that he wanted to continue with Barcelona during the coming period, and move permanently to the Catalan team.
Barcelona is suffering from a severe financial crisis, which makes it difficult to complete the task of including him permanently and paying a large fee to the Manchester City management, which will not part with the Portuguese easily.
According to press reports, Barcelona intends to renew Cancelo's loan in the summer, with a mandatory purchase option at the end of the loan.
0 Comments