"After PSG & Real Madrid Failures" Guardiola's Response to Cancelo Leaving Barcelona
Pep Guardiola, the Spanish coach of Manchester City's football team, has refrained from making a final decision regarding the return of Joao Cancelo, the Portuguese right-back currently on loan at Barcelona until the season's end.
Cancelo has found himself in the midst of controversy recently, shifting from being a prime target for Barcelona's contract renewal to a focal point of criticism following his performance in crucial matches against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals and Real Madrid in the Spanish League's 32nd round.
Guardiola stated, "We haven't discussed his future, and that conversation will take place at the season's end."
🔵🇵🇹 Pep Guardiola on João Cancelo back from Barça loan in July: "We didn't discuss Cancelo's future yet".
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 25, 2024
"We will discuss at the end of the season", Pep said. pic.twitter.com/Tdfrn8gVN9
Since January 2023, Cancelo has been out of Guardiola's plans at Manchester City, leading to loan spells at Bayern Munich and then Barcelona for the 2023-2024 season. Under coach Xavi's guidance, he became integral to Barcelona's squad, featuring in 36 matches, with 4 goals and 4 assists to his name.
However, errors in the PSG match, ending in a (4-1) defeat, and the El Clásico loss to Real Madrid (2-3) raised doubts within Barcelona's sporting directorate about retaining Cancelo. Reports suggest Manchester City's management has offered €25 million for his permanent departure.
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Furthermore, Cancelo's potential move to the Saudi Professional League has stirred speculation about his future destination. While Barcelona remains committed to keeping him and extending his loan for the next season, uncertainties loom large. The allure of a lucrative offer from the Saudi league adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Cancelo's performance trajectory, from being a sought-after asset to facing scrutiny for recent on-field errors, underscores the unpredictable nature of football dynamics. As the season approaches its climax, the decision regarding Cancelo's next move carries significant weight, not only for Barcelona and Manchester City but also for the player himself as he navigates the crossroads of his career.