Initially, the news that Manchester City are willing to let Joao Cancelo leave on loan is an almighty shock. But is it really?
Cancelo has been a key player in Pep Guardiola's team for the last two seasons, redefining what it is to be a full-back and providing a world-class option on both sides of defence. With no senior left-back signed this summer, Cancelo had that flank to lose this season, but has found himself somewhere between both full-back spots and ultimately ended up as back-up in both positions.
Give Pep Guardiola's multiple comments over the attitude of his squad, and City's transfer stance on unhappy players, maybe it's not much of a surprise that Cancelo is being allowed to leave so suddenly.
ALSO READ: City make two shock Cancelo transfer decisions as Bayern Munich close on deal
Guardiola felt that he had to air all his grievances to the public last week after City beat Tottenham to end a two-game losing run. He criticised the attitudes of his players, and said the entire mood around the Etihad had become far too comfortable. He exempted three players from his criticism - defender Nathan Ake, youngster Rico Lewis, and World Cup winner Julian Alvarez.
Ake and Lewis, in particular, are key reasons Cancelo has lost his place, although the warning signs were maybe present before those two players established themselves as in-form options at full-back. Cancelo hasn't been able to replicate his form from last season, and seemed to struggle by not having a regular position or role. When Kyle Walker got injured in the autumn, that complicated matters further.
When Cancelo was sent off against Fulham in November, Guardiola criticised the Portuguese for making a last-man challenge rather than allow his attacker through on goal for Ederson to deal with. Only 26 minutes had passed, so Guardiola said he would have preferred Cancelo to remain on the pitch, even if Fulham equalised, as City would have an hour left to respond.
Since that game, Cancelo has started just four of the 11 games he has been available for, and just one has come at right-back. Two have been on the left, and a right-wing experiment was ended at half-time at Chelsea. He has completed 90 minutes just twice, and has been an unused substitute for the last three games. He cryptically posted his unhappiness at the situation after watching the Arsenal game from the bench.
Lewis, the fearless teenager of the squad, is the current first-choice at right-back, and Walker was preferred against Arsenal when Lewis went off. Ake is undroppable on the left thanks to his fantastic form in recent months, and even Aymeric Laporte was picked ahead of Cancelo on the left against Wolves last week.
Arguably third choice in both of his positions, it's no surprise Cancelo would be unhappy, and Guardiola made his stance clear on players seeking transfers if they are not fully committed this week. Speaking about Aleks Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus, he said: "If it’s happened [they left] it’s because the players and both clubs agree with that.
"Many times Oleks could leave and say want to stay, stay, stay and he stay. And Gabriel was the same and we agreed because it was a lot of years, they need a new challenge, Arsenal want them, this time they leave."
That followed up Guardiola's similar answer after the Tottenham win regarding the same players.
"When you don't want to stay and want to leave, you cannot stay," he said. "I wish the best for Gabriel and Aleks, fantastic people who helped us a lot. Absolutely [their choice]. I never say one player leave. It's the club, decisions they make.
"Of course Erling [Haaland] came so it was difficult for Gabriel but it is normal, Julian [Alvarez] maybe. It's normal. It was a good deal, the players here like Raheem [Sterling], Aleks, and Gabriel always I have big compliments and big thank you for what they have done for us. After it is a good transfer for the club."
Maybe the most instructive comments come from Guardiola right at the start of the season, speaking about Raheem Sterling's summer exit after the new Chelsea signing said he was 'raging' after not feeling wanted at City.
Guardiola responded: "If you force one person to stay when he doesn’t want to stay how can you get the best from him? It's impossible.
"I wouldn’t want to move anyone on now. I love this squad I have. I feel comfortable training with them because after six, seven years we know each other incredibly well. In the bad moments I know how they react; they are incredible professionals.
"I would love to stay all together but at the same time the transfer window ends in 10-15 days and if a player wants to leave then we will find a solution. Which one, I don’t know but we will find it."
Cancelo posted some cryptic messages on Instagram this weekend, saying: Don't let anyone dim your shine," and "Armoured mind and smile on the face." He's clearly not happy, and Guardiola must feel that he cannot get the best out of him in that context.
A late loan exit might seem like drastic action, but it also is entirely in keeping with everything Guardiola's been saying this season.
READ NEXT:
