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Has Pep Guardiola made a big mistake moving on from Joao Cancelo?

Joao Cancelo's move to Bayern Munich strengthens one of Manchester City's Champions League rivals.
Cian Fahey
Cian Fahey

21.40 1 Feb 2023


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Has Pep Guardiola made a big m...

Has Pep Guardiola made a big mistake moving on from Joao Cancelo?

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Cian Fahey
Cian Fahey

21.40 1 Feb 2023


Share this article


Irish journalist Gavin Cooney joined The Football Show to discuss Joao Cancelo and his move to Bayern Munich.

Manchester City sent Joao Cancelo to Bayern Munich on the final day of the transfer window.

Cancelo follows Oleksandr Zinchenko out the door as Manchester City are down to the bare bones at full back. Nathan Ake is now the starting left back. Kyle Walker, when healthy, is the only real option at right tackle. 18-year-old Rico Lewis becomes a primary backup option.

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While Cancelo had fallen out of form this season, so much so that he was also dropped by Portugal as well, he is widely regarded as one of the most talented fullbacks in the world. His versatility to play both left back and right back was valuable, but his ability to play the position in different ways was also important for Pep Guardiola's squad.

But Guardiola fell out with the player and was happy to let him go without a replacement. It likely won't impact their Premier League pursuit of Arsenal too much, but it did also strengthen a potential Champions League opponent.

Gavin Cooney joined Michael McCarthy to discuss the move on The Football Show.

"Maybe Rico Lewis is the next great fullback, but this is a risk isn't it?" Cooney said.

"He got rid of one left back, Zinchenko, and strengthened a rival in the Premier League to the point where they now might miss out on the Premier League to that rival. And now he strengthened a rival in the Champions League by giving them Cancelo.

"Cancelo is starting for Bayern tonight and he's taken 17 minutes to set up the first goal with a cross. It's quite amazing really."

Matt Doherty suits La Liga

 

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