Joao Cancelo has fallen out of favor with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City since the World Cup’s conclusion. The once-undroppable full-back has only been used as a substitute for the Blues once in three Premier League games. He played minimally against Leeds United and Chelsea; even though he began against the latter, he was taken off at halftime.
It was arguably damning that Nathan Ake, not Cancelo or Kyle Walker, took Rico Lewis’ place on Sunday. Guardiola was seeking to make a move. Despite the fact that Joao Cancelo was so important to the team’s success the previous year, the Catalan manager has made it obvious where his preferences lie in defence.
It goes without saying that Cancelo has dealt with being the underdog before. The full-back struggled to make the first team when he first transferred to the Etihad from Juventus.
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Joao Cancelo answers how he can rejoin the Manchester City Lineup
Guardiola and his player were said to have fallen out. But Cancelo put such rumors to rest in February of the previous year. He also explained how he was able to change his circumstances and get to a position of such importance.
Joao Cancelo explained:
“There were complications with the coach, of the way the team were playing. I had a different way of playing at Juventus, I wanted to enjoy football and enjoy playing.”
“It was my responsibility more than the coach, it was my fault. I recovered with my desire to win in life and in football.”
“I’m happy and credit to me because there was a lot of desire to become the player I am today.”
If Joao Cancelo is to have any chance of returning to the first team, he must now exhibit the same level of drive.
It’s not difficult to get back in Guardiola’s good graces; just put in the effort and concentrate on your game during practice, and you’ll probably find yourself back in the starting lineup.
On Friday, when Arsenal comes to play in the FA Cup, there is a chance to reclaim a spot in the starting lineup. Joao Cancelo is likely to start since Guardiola is likely to rotate his team as he did against Chelsea. There is a good chance the 28-year-old can earn a regular spot in Guardiola’s squad again if he can replicate his performances from the previous season. But as was already stated, he needs to follow his own counsel from 2022 and make sure that his drive to do better is not clouded by frustration.
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