Joao Cancelo is set to join Barcelona from Manchester City – and Craig Burley has given an interesting verdict on the full-back.
The 29-year-old’s move to the Spanish giants is now imminent.
A deal has been struck between City and Barca, with Cancelo to join on loan.
There will be an option for Barca to buy the player next summer.
Despite featuring in pre-season for City, Cancelo has not been part of any squads since the new campaign started.
Cancelo’s exit has divided City fans – and Burley has given an interesting verdict on the Portuguese…
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Craig Burley hails ‘talented’ Cancelo but questions his defensive attributes, as he prepares to join Barcelona
Cancelo was discussed in a new video on ESPN FC.
Burnley believes City are losing a really top player. However, he does feel as though Cancelo’s defending can be questionable at times.
He said: “He’s a player I love to watch play. He’s such a talented footballer. But at times when he’s played for Man City in some of those big (games)… City-Liverpool, City-United, Champions League knockout games where, if I was the manager, I’m getting the heebie-jeebies on the touchline with some of his defensive decision-making.
“But Barcelona are getting a player who’s going to cover two or three positions. Brilliant, brilliant footballer. The only potential downside is when it gets to real the big games and the European nights, if Cancelo has one of these defensive nightmares that he has. But that’s a glass-half-empty way of looking at it. He’s a really good player. He’s just not the strongest defender in the world. You can’t have both.”
Cancelo a top footballer but Man City are just fine without him
Cancelo is an amazing footballer, as Burley says.
But Burley is also right to point out the fact Cancelo – who cost City £60 million – is not the best defender in the world.
Realistically, City are going to be just fine without him. The club showed that last season, after Cancelo was loaned to Bayern Munich.
City have an incredible pool of defensive options. And all of them are great actual defenders.
Cancelo is a brilliant technical player, but he does lack in the defensive department.