Manchester City’s João Cancelo has been on loan at Barcelona since last summer and has been subject to criticism for his performances in his side’s defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
On Tuesday, the Catalan club were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG and then suffered a 3-2 defeat to Los Blancos on Sunday.
Former Netherlands international Ronald de Boer wasn’t pleased with the Manchester City owned player’s display against Real Madrid.
Speaking to Ziggo Sport, relayed by Mundo Deportivo, De Boer backed Pep Guardiola for his decision to banish him from the Etihad.
The Portugal international had a fallout with the coach at Manchester City and that resulted in two loan moves, first to Bayern Munich in January 2023 and then to the Camp Nou last summer.
Mundo claim Cancelo wasn’t ‘up to the task’ of stopping Lucas Vázquez score the equaliser on Sunday.
When De Boer analysed his performance against Real Madrid, he said: “Now I know why Pep doesn’t like Cancelo. This guy plays his own football and thinks it’s only about what you do with the ball. You’re a defender!!!”
Former Ajax and AC Milan striker Marco van Basten was also annoyed with the Manchester City man.
“It’s crazy that Cancelo continues to repeat his mistakes at 29 years old,” Van Basten explained.
There’s been claims in Spain that Barca are keen on retaining him beyond this season and work is ongoing behind the scenes to secure an agreement with Manchester City. It won’t be a surprise if they have doubts over holding on to him following his recent performances.
Cancelo and Manchester City have to find a solution for his future in the summer, if the La Liga side don’t extend his stay.
