Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo was left out of the starting XI against Leeds and faces fresh competition for his place
It was a surprise to see Joao Cancelo left out of the starting line-up at Leeds this week precisely because he has been so everpresent in the Manchester City side.
As a result of his ability and fitness, and the lack of cover Pep Guardiola has in the full-back positions, Cancelo had started 50 of the previous 52 Premier League games either on the left or the right in a run dating back to the beginning of last season; one of the two games he missed was through suspension rather than choice. If you are writing names on the teamsheet, Cancelo has been arguably above even Ederson for the last 15 months.
Yet against Leeds he was only named as a substitute as 18-year-old Rico Lewis played instead. Cancelo was involved with Portugal up to the World Cup quarter-finals but did not play every game, and the City manager said publicly that Lewis had earned the spot with his performance against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
Nobody expects Cancelo’s absence from the team to be lengthy and it would be a bigger surprise to see him left out for the home game against Everton, especially with a busy calendar ahead. Yet the call to start Lewis has reinforced the greater challenge that the former Juventus defender faces for a spot in the team.
As well as Lewis, the signing of Manu Akanji has given Guardiola more flexibility in his defence. The Swiss international has hit the ground running with impressive consistency, and his versatility – as well as John Stones when fit – allows the manager to use a centre-back that can cover the right side of the pitch.
On the other flank, Nathan Ake’s form has also been impossible to ignore. In his third season at the Etihad, Ake has been in his best form and has picked up exactly where he left off before his accomplished World Cup.
The form of these three players has meant that Cancelo is no longer the automatic pick that he was for all of last season. City’s increased strength has weakened the right-back’s position.
That puts the onus on the Portugal international to convince Guardiola again that he is the best option for every game. As the manager says, those that behave and perform the best in training will be given the chance to perform and if Lewis was undroppable after the Liverpool game there is no reason why Cancelo can’t re-cement his status in the side.
He has battled back from struggling to adapt in his first season, but the quality of the players he is up against makes it the biggest challenge Cancelo has faced at the Etihad.
Source: manchestereveningnews.com
