Bayern Munich: Joao Cancelo frustrated with lack of regular playing time
Joao Cancelo’s signing was a surprise transfer for Bayern Munich in the winter transfer window. The Portuguese full-back has been a key player for Manchester City in the past couple of seasons, so he was not expected to leave Premier League anytime soon. However, lack of playing time after the World Cup forced Cancelo to join Bayern on loan until the end of the season.
Bayern and Julian Nagelsmann had reportedly been long-term admirers of Cancelo. The Bavarian club moved quickly to secure his signing once it was clear that the Portuguese full-back was eager to leave Manchester City. Cancelo arrived in Munich on the penultimate day of the winter transfer window.
Cancelo enjoyed a very good start to life in Bavaria, providing an assist in his first game for the club. He also scored against Augsburg in the Bundesliga and provided two assists in the Bundesliga. Despite having positive stats in the final third, Cancelo lost his place in the starting XI during the last few weeks of Julian Nagelsmann at the club.
Thomas Tuchel also kept Cancelo on the bench in his first game against Dortmund. The Portuguese full-back came on the pitch in the 79th minute. Cancelo was frustrated with less playing time in the game and went to the dressing room straight away after the game instead of acknowledging fans. While talking to Bild over the weekend (via iMiaSanMia), Bayern’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic insisted Cancelo’s frustration is not necessarily a bad thing.
"“These are emotions after the game. It’s not a problem. It’s normal for a player to be disappointed when they don’t play. Cancelo is a top player and will get his playing time.”"
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel also heaped praise on the quality of Joao Cancelo on Tuesday. While talking to the media ahead of the DFB Pokal game against Freiburg, Tuchel praised the quality of Cancelo. He is convinced that the Portuguese full-back will become a key player for Die Roten.
Tuchel on Cancelo: "I love João, I've had to play against him many times. He has the absolute highest quality, left foot, right foot, passing. He's a different type of player than Benji Pavard. He can also play on the left in the back four." pic.twitter.com/Uh7jvEz0vp
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 3, 2023
The next couple of months is crucial for Cancelo’s future at Bayern. The Bavarian club will hope to see more consistency whenever Tuchel gives him a place in the starting XI. The Portuguese full-back needs to work off the ball and avoid defensive lapses to become the first-choice right-back for Bayern.
The record Bundesliga champions have an option of €70 million to sign Joao Cancelo permanently in the summer transfer window. However, Salihamidzic has already insisted that they will look to renegotiate a fee if Cancelo features in their long-term plans.
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Cancelo would hope to get a start against Freiburg on Tuesday. The Portuguese full-back’s versatility should work in his favour to get more playing time before the end of the season. The ball is completely in Cancelo’s court after the encouraging comments from Salihamidzic and Tuchel.