7 | Joao Cancelo - 2022/23 Performances

[SebastianBlue]

 

[Blue Maverick]

Why does he look so angry when he scores?

 

[sir baconface]

Why does he look so angry when he scores?

I was going to ask the same. What’s with the grimace and cupping of ear? They look like a big “fcuk you” but I’m not aware of him getting any stick.

Other than this annoying affectation, this guy has to be one of the classiest fullbacks in world football.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Why does he look so angry when he scores?

I read his lips, he said where the fuck is my song.

 

[alexmcity]

I was going to ask the same. What’s with the grimace and cupping of ear? They look like a big “fcuk you” but I’m not aware of him getting any stick.

Other than this annoying affectation, this guy has to be one of the classiest fullbacks in world football.

Arguably, Cancelo's been the most underrated City player by our fan base. Many seem to think he's upgradeable at LB because he isn't an *actual* LB and "can't defend". That's why people were desperate for us to sign a very expensive LB with one (!) cap for Spain. It's a silly take, but it's down to pre-Pep stereotypes about what a good FB is supposed to be.

In pre-Pep times, defending was done mostly in one's own 3rd and thus close to one's own box. In Pep's system, defending happens mostly in the oppo's 3rd and in the middle 3rd, where Cancelo's our best defensive player in terms of interceptions, duels, tackles, etc. People fail to notice Cancelo's defensive contributions in the other 2 thirds of the pitch because they reduce defending to blocking, clearing, tackling...actions in our own 3rd, in and around our box.

However, I'm not sure Cancelo's 'angry' celebration was due to the fans who don't appreciate him. It's probably related to his frustration from failing to score from so many attempts last and this season. His shots to goals ratio hasn't been good and is one of his weaknesses. This season, with the goal yesterday, he has already scored more league goals than last season and is venting his frustrations. He is angry at himself for failing to live up to his exceptional talent. Talent wise, he isn't worse than any FB over the last 2 decades, including the likes of Alves and Lahm. Few players are total footballers like him.

 

[asahartford1]

Has he spent the rest of his life as a sparkie or a carpenter

Bluemoon 2020,

 

[Craig]

Would be good to see all his touches yesterday as some of his skill was outrageous

 

[JewelZee]

Why does he look so angry when he scores?

If you watch the documentary on City+ they address why he always looks so intense and even angry.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I was going to ask the same. What’s with the grimace and cupping of ear? They look like a big “fcuk you” but I’m not aware of him getting any stick.

Other than this annoying affectation, this guy has to be one of the classiest fullbacks in world football.

Always assumed the cupping of the ear was more of a panto style beckoning for more cheers than anything else.

Bernardo's spoken often about how he always looks miserable but he's one of the funniest guys in the squad. Just think he's super competitive when on the pitch.

 

[sir baconface]

Arguably, Cancelo's been the most underrated City player by our fan base. Many seem to think he's upgradeable at LB because he isn't an *actual* LB and "can't defend". That's why people were desperate for us to sign a very expensive LB with one (!) cap for Spain. It's a silly take, but it's down to pre-Pep stereotypes about what a good FB is supposed to be.

In pre-Pep times, defending was done mostly in one's own 3rd and thus close to one's own box. In Pep's system, defending happens mostly in the oppo's 3rd and in the middle 3rd, where Cancelo's our best defensive player in terms of interceptions, duels, tackles, etc. People fail to notice Cancelo's defensive contributions in the other 2 thirds of the pitch because they reduce defending to blocking, clearing, tackling...actions in our own 3rd, in and around our box.

However, I'm not sure Cancelo's 'angry' celebration was due to the fans who don't appreciate him. It's probably related to his frustration from failing to score from so many attempts last and this season. His shots to goals ratio hasn't been good and is one of his weaknesses. This season, with the goal yesterday, he has already scored more league goals than last season and is venting his frustrations. He is angry at himself for failing to live up to his exceptional talent. Talent wise, he isn't worse than any FB over the last 2 decades, including the likes of Alves and Lahm. Few players are total footballers like him.

Great post, mate. I’ve rated him from day one and argued in his first season for him to get more playing time. I won’t ever crow about it, though, because I don’t always get these things right.

Some say he’s a poor defender but he actually isn‘t. It’s one of those stock phrases that get bleated out without always thinking. He’s unorthodox, for which the downside is occasionally getting caught out, but fcuk me, look at his overall contribution. And his lapses are fewer than some people say.

He reminds me a little of watching Brazil’s flying fullbacks back in the day when Dog and Duck cloggers were the norm over here. Like them, he’s such an exciting player to watch.