#27 | João Cancelo - 2020/21 Performances

[nickamon]

He's very good, but I think today really showed how accurate that Pep quote was about how he needs to keep things simple.

He just overcomplicated things a few times, he just tried a more difficult pass than he needed to or tried to beat one too many players.

It's incredibly entertaining to watch but if he just dialled it back 5% he could have had a goal and a couple of assists.

His defending has improved so much though, that's not just settling in, he's really worked on it.

That’s a fair point, I do notice this from him but at the same time I’m impressed with his play.

 

[Jamiblue]

A truly exquisite footballer, one of our many Joys to watch.

 

[super_city_si]

I didnt see these kind of performaces coming from him after last season. But wow! What a player. Got to be one of the best right backs in europe right Now.

i love his little Drag back from one foot to the other to create a pass angle.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Plays like he knows he’s the best player on the pitch. Took him a while to gain this confidence, but we’re seeing the rewards now. Goes past players with so much ease, the most exciting player we’ve had since we first got a glimpse of Sane.

 

[Afterthefact]

He makes a lot of unorthodox turns on a very tight radius to reverse or switch the expected flow of play - like he’s driving and will do a weird little roundabout. it’s so clear how different his decisions are because defenders don’t even anticipate the simple logic of them. incredibly elegant player in that regard.

 

[Proy]

I’d have laughed in the face of the man who told me this was coming last season. Unreal turnaround, he literally looks like a different player.

 

[domalino]

That’s a fair point, I do notice this from him but at the same time I’m impressed with his play.

It's hard, because he's fun to watch and does some incredible things, but the simple things he doesn't get right and when he does, he'll be one of the best players in the world.

For example, the chance where Jesus had a shot and it went just over - clipped the bar according to MOTD. Cancelo had a long time to play that pass to Jesus in the box, it's only 6 yards or so, but he puts it a full yard behind Gabby who has to reach back to dig out a shot.

If he plays the simple pass right, it's probably a goal, and an assist for Cancelo.

 

[BigOscar]

Been a huge fan of his since he was coming up through the Benfica academy, but he's finally found a team and a system that lets him bring out the best of his ridiculous talents. When we signed him I thought he'd be perfect for Pep but it didn't click last year, we were still too reliant on Walkers defending to play Cancelo and give him the attacking licence he needs. But now the CB's and midfield can be trusted, we're seeing the player he always threatened to be, although I think there is even more to come in terms of goals and assists as he still looks to be snatching at things a bit

 

[Clembo]

Class all over. Assumed after seeing him last year we'd use him more as a wing back, but no, this year he's turned into a proper proper right back. Took son out of the game, which isn't an easy feat, all while looking insanely calm in possession.

His movement and positional sense is a joke too.

 

[mdj0520]

His defending is underrated.