Manchester City must keep João Cancelo despite Bayern interest

Amid interest from Bayern Munich and Valencia, Man City should hang on to recent Juventus arrival João Cancelo.

Although Portuguese fullback João Cancelo has yet to displace Kyle Walker as Manchester City’s first choice right-back, he has a long term future at the club and should not leave in January.

Former club Valencia reportedly want to sign the fullback on loan, while Bayern look to strengthen their depth at the position, where Joshua Kimmich and Benjamin Pavard can both play. However, Cancelo still remains the primary option at either fullback position at the Etihad should Walker be unavailable, and is a top attacking player blessed with pace who fits the Guardiola mold for a fullback.

Cancelo only just arrived at the club, and we have yet to see the best of him in a City shirt. Given his talents, versatility, and Portuguese connection with Bernardo Silva on the right-hand flank, letting him leave on a loan or transfer already simply does not make sense. I firmly believe that he has all the makings of becoming a top fullback in the years to come as Walker exits his prime, and that City should not let him go. He arrived from Juventus on an absolute bargain as part of the Danilo transfer, and remains a huge upgrade at the position.

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With a defensive crisis at the back, City cannot afford to simply let depth at the back leave on the cheap. Cancelo is a talented player, and one who will only improve as he integrates himself into the club and the system of operations under Guardiola. While the interest from Champions League knockout-level clubs such as Bayern and Valencia is flattering, it should serve as an indication that Cancelo has already found exactly where he belongs: playing in a sky blue shirt for Manchester City.