The breakdown in relationship between Joao Cancelo and Pep Guardiola has been no secret, with the pair clearly struggling to work together.
That’s seen the fullback leave Manchester City on two separate loan deals. First he went to Bayern Munich and is currently at Barcelona, so he’s keeping his standards up.
For a while the Catalan media have been making it clear that Barcelona want to keep Cancelo in the longer term. In terms of a permanent transfer there’s been talk of them wanting to pay as little as €20m.
Such an amount feels unrealistic, but Barcelona want to use the Guardiola and Cancelo situation to their advantage. If there’s no chance of the pair getting on together, and the player insists he’s only going to the Blaugrana then it’s thought there’ll be a position of negotiation strength.
The man himself has been speaking to the Portuguese media during the current international break, and was asked about his relationship with the Manchester City manager.
He continued: “I think Manchester City were a bit ungrateful to me when they said that, because I was a very important player in the years I was there. I never failed in my commitment to the club, to the fans, I always gave everything. I remember a time when I was jumped and attacked and the next day I was playing at the Emirates against Arsenal.
“These are things you don’t forget, I left my wife and daughter alone at home, terrified. People will only remember this because Mister Guardiola is much more powerful than me when he says something and I prefer to keep it to myself. I prefer to know that I am telling the truth, I feel fulfilled with what I did. I am a transparent person, I never lie. Life goes on and I wish it all goes well, because while I was there I enjoyed my football and the team.”
Despite all of that, when asked to name the best manager in the world, Cancelo said… Pep Guardiola.
