João Cancelo (Part 2)

Cancelo achieved a milestone by scoring his first league goal in a 3–0 victory against Deportivo La Coruña. However, his celebration sparked controversy as he made a "shush" gesture towards Valencia's fans, who had previously criticized him for his defensive mistakes. Recognizing his error, Cancelo promptly issued an apology for his actions, acknowledging the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with the supporters. Despite the incident, Cancelo's commitment to improving and contributing to the team's success remained unwavering.
João Cancelo embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining Inter Milan on a one-year loan deal, with the option of a permanent transfer. This move was part of a loan exchange agreement, with Geoffrey Kondogbia moving in the opposite direction.[29] Cancelo made his Serie A debut for Inter Milan just four days later, coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute of a 3–1 victory away to Roma.


Unfortunately, Cancelo encountered a setback shortly after joining Inter Milan, as he suffered a knee ligament injury while on international duty in late August 2017. This injury sidelined him for approximately one-and-a-half months, delaying his full integration into the team.
Despite the injury setback, Cancelo made his return to action during Inter Milan's 3–2 home victory over AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina, featuring for 20 minutes. As he continued to regain fitness and adapt to Serie A football, Cancelo gradually showcased his abilities, earning his first start for Inter Milan in a Coppa Italia match against Pordenone.


On 17 April 2018, Cancelo made a significant impact by scoring his first league goal for Inter Milan with a well-taken free kick in a 4–0 home victory over Cagliari. As the season progressed, Cancelo's performances improved steadily, and he began to establish himself as a key player in Inter Milan's squad. Despite some initial tactical challenges and adaptation issues, Cancelo's talent and versatility were recognized, leading to his inclusion in Serie A's Team of the Year.
Despite his impressive performances during the season, Inter Milan opted not to exercise their option to buy Cancelo outright, leading to his return to his parent club at the end of the loan spell.


João Cancelo made a significant move to Juventus, signing a five-year contract with the club for a reported fee of €40.4 million.[38] He quickly made an impact with his new team, making his Serie A debut on 18 August in a hard-fought 3–2 away victory against Chievo Verona.
Cancelo's first taste of silverware with Juventus came in January 2019, as he played a crucial role in the team's 1–0 victory over Milan to win the Supercoppa Italiana. He further demonstrated his importance to the team by scoring his first league goal for Juventus later that month in a thrilling 2–1 comeback victory against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Not only did Cancelo find the back of the net himself, but he also contributed to winning the decisive match-winning penalty, which was expertly converted by his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo.


Throughout the season, Cancelo showcased his versatility and creativity, providing key assists for his teammates. On 6 October, he delivered an assist for Rodrigo Bentancur in a 2–0 away win over Udinese. He continued to excel in big matches, as evidenced by his assist for Mario Mandžukić in Juventus' 1–0 home victory over his former club Inter Milan in the Derby d'Italia on 7 December.
In the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Ajax, Cancelo once again demonstrated his ability to create opportunities, providing an assist for Cristiano Ronaldo in the first leg, which ended in a 1–1 draw on 10 April 2019. Despite his efforts, Juventus were eventually eliminated from the competition after losing the second leg 2–1 in Turin on 16 April. However, Cancelo remained focused and played a crucial role in securing Juventus' eighth successive Serie A title, as they clinched the Scudetto with a 2–1 home triumph over rivals Fiorentina just four days later.


João Cancelo made a high-profile move to Premier League club Manchester City, signing a six-year contract worth £27.4 million. The transfer involved Danilo moving to Juventus as part of the deal, valuing Cancelo's move at a total of £60 million. This transaction made Cancelo the most expensive right back in football history.
Cancelo made his Premier League debut for Manchester City on 25 August, coming on as a late substitute for Kyle Walker in a 3–1 victory over Bournemouth. He quickly made an impact, showcasing his versatility and attacking prowess. On 18 December, Cancelo scored his first goal for City in a 3–1 away win over Oxford United in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
However, despite his initial promise, Cancelo faced challenges during his first season at Manchester City. He struggled to adapt to the team's tactics and formation, often appearing out of position in the matches he played. Additionally, he found it difficult to secure a regular starting spot in the team, facing stiff competition from Kyle Walker for the right-back position.


João Cancelo made his first league start of the new season for Manchester City after recovering from injury, contributing to a 1–0 home victory over Arsenal. His versatility and impact were further demonstrated on 3 November when he scored his first Champions League goal for City in a 3–0 home win over Olympiacos in the group stage. Later, on 26 January 2021, Cancelo netted his first Premier League goal in a convincing 5–0 away win against West Bromwich Albion.
One of Cancelo's standout performances came on 24 February when he was named man of the match. He provided an assist to Bernardo Silva in Manchester City's 2–0 away victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach in the first leg of the round of 16 tie in the UEFA Champions League.


Throughout the season, Cancelo's ability to transition from full-back to a central midfield position, maintaining control of the ball while ensuring defensive stability, was widely praised. This tactical versatility and defensive contribution were key factors in Manchester City's successful campaign, culminating in them regaining the Premier League title. Additionally, Cancelo's outstanding performances earned him a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, highlighting his significant impact on the team's success.

References

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