#27 | João Cancelo - 2019/20 Performances

[Larry Stranger]

Much more likely IMO we keep playing Walker because he's fantastic at what he does, Cancelo plays a bit but not enough to be happy, gets sold next summer after 2 years trying to be 1st choice (like Danilo) and one of the 3 or 4 insanely highly rated u21 RBs we have bought in 2020 comes in as second choice.

Nah I think he'll stay. We rotate a lot. Injuries, rest and rotation. If Ake fits the bill, Cancelo may play more in the long run because he's much better of an attacking FB than Mendy. For the short term Walker may play more because he already knows the system. Danilo was sold IMO because he was neither here or there. Not great in either attack or defence. He simply was bought because Dani Alves screwed us over and we needed 2 RB's at that time. One that attacked and one that defended. Same with Cancelo.

 

[Easy]

I find this such a bizarre thing to say for someone who's watched this team the last few years. Walker displays his better defensive abilities in every single game we play.

What changed between 16/17 and 17/18/19? We got Kyle Walker. That's literally all that changed at the back. We got the best player in the world at defending half the pitch on his own against counter attacks and breaks, and immediately we went from getting countered and fucked over by teams breaking against the run of play, to 198 points in 2 seasons.

So I don't really care if Cancelo is individually better vs. a parked bus, because 90% of the time in those games, Walker is the last man back, and the man who gives us the security to play the highest line in world football without worrying about it.

If you want Cancelo to play as a winger, than someone else has to do Walker's job. And no one else is even close to being as good.

PS. "Don't get too excited by Walker's performance vs. Real" is a ridiculous thing to say when Walker's been one of our best players all season and undroppable since the day he walked in the door, with very brief dip in form when he got played into the ground.

I would suggest "don't get excited by Cancelo putting in a couple of half-decent performances at LB and Pep praising him for not having a shitty attitude anymore" would be more fitting for our RB discussion.

obviously both fullbacks can’t push forward so if Cancelo pushes up than the LB can stay behind. In games when we have 70-80% possession we may face only a couple of dangerous counter attacks, anyway you act like Walker never got caught out of position on a counter, it did happen you know. Cancelo is also quick and a good defender.

I find it bizarre you don’t see Walker is most negative passer in our team in possession. Yes he’s had a good season but he also played a major part in our FA cup exit as he did a few years ago against Wigan.

 

[mcfc482]

obviously both fullbacks can’t push forward so if Cancelo pushes up than the LB can stay behind. In games when we have 70-80% possession we may face only a couple of dangerous counter attacks, anyway you act like Walker never got caught out of position on a counter, it did happen you know. Cancelo is also quick and a good defender.

I find it bizarre you don’t see Walker is most negative passer in our team in possession. Yes he’s had a good season but he also played a major part in our FA cup exit as he did a few years ago against Wigan.

Agreed, while he has the capability he doesn’t always have the awareness or positioning. Sometimes he is caught higher than he needs to be when there is a quick player behind him. example being in the Arsenal semi final. If he was back on the last line either Aub won’t have been able to make the run or if he did you’d at least have been confident of Walker catching him.

if he can concentrate throughout the entire game you inevitably see a brilliant performance however he can also either give the ball away cheaply or be out of position which costs a goal due to concentration.

 

[ste.sully]

Based on his recent performances: a definite keep for next season.

Part of the recent Walker has had a good season with very few errors is because of Cancelo.

Mendy and Zinchenko are all over the place defensively. Mendy doesn't look anywhere near the player he was before his knees when all dodgy.

 

[W11Nchenko]

our best player tonight. and at watford. and at southampton. solid performances in all his other games since the restart. all whilst playing out of position, in probably the most difficult role in pep’s system.

well done cancelo. can hold your head high.

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

didnt deserve to be on the losing side , our only creative player in the first half and his best match in a blue shirt , he's a clever player and can see a pass , hopefully he is now past his first season syndrome and will kick on next season

 

[Stelea]

He has done well but I am sick of seeing unbalanced players playing on the wrong side of the pitch. Bad enough with one but when you have Cancelo and Sterling both right doors on the left, it can be so frustrating

 

[hammersmithlad]

Actually thought he plays better on the left side for us than the right.

Seemed to be one of the few who had an urgency to play high tempo & attack rather than pass the ball sideways or backwards. His crossing needs a lot of improvement & normally overcooks it.

 

[mccity]

Did he start his career higher up the pitch? He seems really comfortable creatively.

 

[Tevez City]

Are we still willing to swap him for Semedo ?