Joao Cancelo started for Manchester City versus Everton on New Years Day but his performance has sparked criticism from some of the club’s fans. The 25-year-old has struggled to displace Kyle Walker this season but was given the opportunity to start ahead of the England international due to squad rotation.
Pep Guardiola tweaked City’s system as he named three central-defenders and deployed both Cancelo and Benjamin Mendy as wing-backs in an attempt to freshen things up.
However, even in a slightly more attack-minded role, the Portuguese international failed to impress and these fans completely disagree with a post by City Chief on Twitter which praised the full-back’s display.
Should City persist with Cancelo for another season?
Yes
No
He’s been poor imo
— Shaun (@MCFC_Shaun) January 1, 2020
Really??
— robert simon (@laurmaxalyasdad) January 1, 2020
He is being poor
— ManCity Blood ? ????? (@mancityblood) January 1, 2020
Excellent? ?
— Chidiebere (@nwuba_snr) January 1, 2020
Not sure what he did? I know he wasn’t tested defensively.
— MCFC FanView (@MCFCFanView) January 1, 2020
disgrace.. he lacks versatility going forward and creating chances. back passing
— King (@amon_murkomen) January 1, 2020
Bruh, he missed a lot of balls and he can’t dribble Davies ?
— Méndez (@Esteban8mendez) January 1, 2020
What do we think?
Signed for £58.5m from Juventus in the summer, Cancelo arrived with a huge reputation. Up until now, he’s been unable to show what it is that attracted Pep Guardiola to him in the first place but in fairness, his opportunities have been extremely limited.
Kyle Walker being selected ahead of him is as much of a testament to the Englishman’s consistency as it is a damning indictment of Cancelo’s form this season. Valencia are said to be interested in re-signing the defender but they’re unlikely to pay anywhere near what City paid to bring him to Manchester in the first place.
It remains to be seen whether or not the club would be willing to cut their losses and part-ways with the former Juventus defender or if he’ll be given more time to stake his claim for a regular starting position.