Guardiola claims Joao Cancelo was ‘confused’ in his first year at Manchester City

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has told the Manchester Evening News that Joao Cancelo was ‘confused’ when he first joined the club.

City pounced to sign Cancelo from Juventus in the summer of 2019, splashing out a huge £60million to sign him – though they did sell Danilo to Juve for £34.2million in exchange.

Last season, Cancelo didn’t really impress; Kyle Walker kept his role as the first-choice right back, limiting Cancelo to just 13 Premier League starts.

This term, the 26-year-old already has 11 league starts to his name, and has played at both right back and left back, showing his versatility to Guardiola.

Cancelo has been hailed for weeks now having turned in consistently excellent displays, with fans now feeling that the Portuguese ace is proving his quality no matter which flank he is on.

Guardiola has been speaking about Cancelo today, suggesting that he was ‘confused’ when he first arrived, because he was expecting something different at City that just wasn’t provided.

Guardiola added that Cancelo’s physicality is ‘incredible’, and feels that he is now so important to City having taken a huge leap over the last year.

“He arrived last season, he was confused in the beginning because he expected something that we could not offer him but he’s a nice guy with a great heart,” said Guardiola. “He’s a guy whose physicality is incredible, he could play again the day after a game and this is so important us to have players consistently fit. Last season he struggled a little bit with a new club and new ideas but now he has had more time and he is playing good.”

“He was tired in the last game but hopefully tomorrow if he tries to play he can be better than the first 45 minutes against Birmingham but he was outstanding. Aleks can play in his position too and Benjamin and Kyle can play in different oppositions but it depends on the opponent. I have to know if he can do it for his qualities. This alternative that he can give us as a team is so important,” he added.