Martin Blackburn of The Sun says Joao Cancelo isn’t enjoying life at Manchester City this season after ‘falling’ down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola. The 28-year-old was a regular in the starting lineup earlier in the campaign but was dropped after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and hasn’t managed to wrestle his place back.
Blackburn notes that Cancelo has been ‘struggling’ for games as Pep has recently preferred Rico Lewis at right-back with Nathan Ake at left-back, so AC Milan are trying to take advantage of the situation by offering the Portuguese international an escape route. But as a £60m signing with four-and-a-half years remaining on his deal, it would take a ‘huge offer’ to be accepted.
Cancelo has made 154 appearances in all competitions for City, scoring nine goals with 22 assists. He played a pivotal role in a makeshift position as the Sky Blues defended their Premier League title last season and was a regular up until December this campaign (15 consecutive league appearances).
But the 28-year-old has been an unused substitute three times in City’s last five league outings, starting only twice since November. It’s not surprising Cancelo has been linked with a move back to Italy as he’s played for Juventus and Inter Milan in the past.
He knows Serie A and the city of Milan very well, but it’s hard to see City selling. Cancelo won’t come cheap and has been a terrific servant despite the recent dip in form, so he’s worth holding on to.
In other news, Man City youngster signs new deal until 2027
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