Joao Cancelo

[aguero93:20]

The moon on a stick? An actual left back? World peace?

An actual left back in our time.

 

[aguero93:20]

Beware anything too good to be true.

His legs will fall off half way through his debut or something. Maybe sudden blindness? Or an allergic reaction to grass (been there) ?

An allergic reaction to being punched in the nose by Micah?

 

[MadchesterCity]

Lol, and no one is real defence leader as VVD. Decent defence, but not perfect.

Laporte leads the defence, we ain't getting VVD, please tell me what other CH we could realistically sign now to improve us?

If Rodri can take up the defensive midfield role from Fernandinho (we also have Gundogan for cover) then we can also get more game time for Foden.

The defensive choices we have are second to none when you look at the variety, remember Pep has said that he would play 11 midfielders if he could. Delighted with Cancelo signing, main issue we have is if Mendy can get fir at fullback.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Any news on Danilo? Has he had his medical yet? I’m assuming the Cancelo deal won’t go through until they are happy Danilo isn’t crocked.

 

[BimboBob]

He’s every right. Cost us dear, Mendy being injured the last two seasons. We could’ve picked up a trophy, maybe two.

It's our one weakness.

 

[Trautmann's Chiropractor]

Are we looking at Cancelo as back up to Walker or may Cancelo be our first choice??

I reckon that Pep sees those two as completely different types of players.

Walker being the more “defensive” option at RB, where he can stay back on attacks and use his pace to sweep up any counters. When Walker plays we usually end up with three at the back, with him lining up beside the centre backs while the LB goes into midfield.

Cancelo is our right footed equivalent to Mendy. Bombing forward and rarely defending, but still having pace to come back on counters. He’s another outlet for our forward line, his biggest strength being his on-the-ball ability.

So when Cancelo plays, I think Zinchenko will end up being part of the back three and we’ll mostly see Cancelo in the starting eleven if Zin is on the other flank to help keep that defensive line.

You can flip this the other way too with the signing on Angelino. Walker, Stones and Laporte as the back three with Angelino going forward, or Mendy if he’s fit.

2 defensive full backs in Zinchenko and Walker, and 2.5 attacking full backs with Cancelo, Angelino and Mendy.

Then of course if we’re struggling to break down a side we can throw on both Cancelo and Angelino or Mendy with Rodri then dropping deeper to the back three. Using the added width to create more space for the rest of the team. It also lets whichever wingers we use to cut inside and become extra strikers essentially, and I firmly believe Sterling will score 30 goals this season if this theory pans out.

 

[Marvin]

I reckon that Pep sees those two as completely different types of players.

Walker being the more “defensive” option at RB, where he can stay back on attacks and use his pace to sweep up any counters. When Walker plays we usually end up with three at the back, with him lining up beside the centre backs while the LB goes into midfield.

Cancelo is our right footed equivalent to Mendy. Bombing forward and rarely defending, but still having pace to come back on counters. He’s another outlet for our forward line, his biggest strength being his on-the-ball ability.

So when Cancelo plays, I think Zinchenko will end up being part of the back three and we’ll mostly see Cancelo in the starting eleven if Zin is on the other flank to help keep that defensive line.

You can flip this the other way too with the signing on Angelino. Walker, Stones and Laporte as the back three with Angelino going forward, or Mendy if he’s fit.

2 defensive full backs in Zinchenko and Walker, and 2.5 attacking full backs with Cancelo, Angelino and Mendy.

Then of course if we’re struggling to break down a side we can throw on both Cancelo and Angelino or Mendy with Rodri then dropping deeper to the back three. Using the added width to create more space for the rest of the team. It also lets whichever wingers we use to cut inside and become extra strikers essentially, and I firmly believe Sterling will score 30 goals this season if this theory pans out.

I don't rate Zinchenko's defensive ability. He has however excellent going forward and his eye for a pass in exceptional. It would be a misuse of Zinchenko's ability if we were looking to use him defensively

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Danilo’s medical is tomorrow, so maybe no announcement until then?

 

[BufordUSABlue]

myb Pep will start use Walker as CB or the right CB in the back three

like

Mendy Cancelo
Laporte Stones Walker

or this is ... to defensive

Your making a huge assumption that Mendy will actually ever be injury fit Blue :-(

 

[Trautmann's Chiropractor]

I don't rate Zinchenko's defensive ability. He has however excellent going forward and his eye for a pass in exceptional. It would be a misuse of Zinchenko's ability if we were looking to use him defensively

Another possibility is Zinchenko staying tucked in midfield with Rodri dropping deeper.

I agree with him not having the best defensive skills, he doesn’t have great aerial ability and can have lapses in concentration. But I’d say his attacking, while good, isn’t on par with Mendy and Angelino.

Saying that, Zin is the second most versatile player in the squad and is getting better each season so I believe he’ll improve in both aspects. Might even see him on the wing if Sane goes.