Although João Cancelo has not played for Manchester City since January 2023 due to a fallout with manager Pep Guardiola, he remains under contract with the club until 2027.
After spending the latter half of the 2022–23 season on loan at Bayern Munich, Cancelo continued his career with a loan spell at Barcelona for the remainder of the season. Upon returning from international duty with Portugal, Cancelo has been training alongside his former Manchester City teammates.
Guardiola recently addressed Cancelo’s situation during a press conference, expressing uncertainty about the player’s future with the club. “He is undergoing instruction with us. We shall see; perhaps he will remain, perhaps go on loan. Not yet is what I know. He is working with us, and he performs really brilliantly in the training sessions.
Football is his favourite game to play. We shall see,” Guardiola remarked. When specifically asked if Cancelo might stay with City for the upcoming season, Guardiola responded, “It might happen, sure.”
Cancelo has a notable history with Manchester City, being one of the standout players during their Premier League title-winning campaigns in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
His versatility, particularly his ability to play as both a right-back and left-back, made him a crucial part of Guardiola’s squad during those successful years. However, Cancelo’s relationship with Guardiola reportedly deteriorated after he was dropped from the starting lineup following the 2022 World Cup.
The tension between player and manager seemed to escalate during this period. According to reports, during one of Guardiola’s pre-match team meetings, Cancelo displayed a lack of focus and respect by putting on headphones and listening to music, rather than engaging with the team discussion.
This incident reportedly frustrated Guardiola, who then expressed his concerns to Manchester City’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain. Guardiola is said to have advised Begiristain that it would be in the squad’s best interest for Cancelo to leave by the end of the transfer window.
Cancelo’s uncertain future has been a topic of speculation throughout the summer, with his impressive performances during training sessions leaving the door open for a potential reintegration into the Manchester City squad. However, the possibility of another loan move or even a permanent transfer remains on the table. Guardiola’s comments suggest that while Cancelo’s future with City is not entirely ruled out, it is far from guaranteed.
The situation surrounding Cancelo highlights the complexities of managing top-tier talent within a competitive and demanding environment like Manchester City. While his talent on the field is undeniable, his off-field conduct and relationship with the coaching staff have created challenges that could influence whether he stays or leaves the club.
As the transfer window continues, the future of João Cancelo remains uncertain. Whether he will reconcile with Guardiola and stay at Manchester City, or whether he will move on to another club, possibly on loan, is yet to be determined.
The outcome will not only affect Cancelo’s career trajectory but could also impact Manchester City’s defensive options for the upcoming season. Both the club and the player will need to carefully consider their next steps as the season approaches, keeping in mind the best interests of both parties.
