Manchester City’s João Cancelo has been a regular for Barcelona since joining them on a loan deal last summer.
Xavi Hernández used him as a left-back in the Champions League defeat to PSG and in the loss to Real Madrid in the league.
Journalist Xavier Bosch, writing in his column for Mundo Deportivo, has taken a dig at the Manchester City owned player.
The Portugal international has four goals and four assists from 36 matches this season and has been mainly used as a left-back, instead of his preferred position on the right side of the back four.
Bosch slammed the 29-year-old for lapses of concentration against PSG and Real Madrid, and then states: ‘Too many failures for a player with a performance that has gone from more to less. Much less. Two facts: Cancelo scored his two goals in the league in his first three starts. Since then, nothing. Cancelo, away from home, not a goal or an assist all season.
‘We knew that he attacked well, that he was irregular, that it was difficult for him to make the best decisions, that Guardiola sent him away and that Bayern had enough with him in one season. Now Barcelona fans have understood why.’
Cancelo made a financial effort to arrive at the Camp Nou, but the journalist hopes Barca decide to bet on youngsters like Hèctor Fort, instead of retaining him.
A ‘confidential’ report from Sport states the Manchester City man’s recent struggles has opened up a debate within the club over his continuity. Despite this, Barcelona sporting director Deco is clear about extending the fullback’s stay.
Deco believes Cancleo is ‘one of the best specialists in the world’ in his position and has given a lot to the team already. At the same time, Sport add his recent struggles can help Barcelona have more arguments to push for another loan deal.
The player’s desire is to stay at Barcelona despite Manchester City receiving interest from other clubs. Therefore, the Blaugrana, led by Deco, ‘will do everything possible’ to secure another deal for him in the summer.
