(Football news) Manchester City’s star defender this season Joao Cancelo extended his contract at the club by a couple of years. His new contract is now set to run until 2027, which will allow him to complete eight years at the Etihad Stadium. Cancelo has been sensational for City since joining the club in 2019. Since then, he has featured in 106 matches for the club across competitions, besides scoring three goals as well. Cancelo has now scored 16 goals in 311 games, while he has also won a lot of titles with Man City.
This season Joao Cancelo has been the best full back in the league by a country mile, under Pep he has not only improved his attacking side of the game but he's become a hard working footballer by excelling in his defensive abilities. His versatility of playing as a left back and right back gives Pep a lot of options in the wingback positions. Cancelo arrived from Juventus in the summer transfer window of 2019 as a right back, the Portuguese international wasn’t able to showcase his ability in his maiden season but having adapted to the demands of life at both a new club and new country in that important first year, Cancelo really came into his own during the 2020/21 campaign. Cancelo emerged as one of the key pivots in the City side that swept to a third Premier League title in four years as well as lifting what was a fourth successive Carabao Cup and his impact was also recognised by his peers with Joao being included in the PFA’s Premier League team of the season – the ultimate stamp of approval.
Alongside that formidable talent and technique, Cancelo is also blessed with another fundamental and crucial quality which further underpins Guardiola’s City – his amazing stamina and powers of endurance. That longevity and lung-bursting athleticism has become another key weapon in City’s all-round armoury with Cancelo’s consistency and fitness emerging as further vital attributes. He last year helped Guardiola’s side to secure Premier League and League Cup silverware and also reached their first-ever Champions League final in the club's history. Cancelo clocked up 43 appearances in total last season, he is already on the track to overhaul last season's tally. This season Joao has made 30 starts in all competitions. Indeed, such has been Cancelo’s model consistency that in the Premier League the only game he has missed out on was December’s 7-0 rout of Leeds when he was suspended. However, with his new contract now secured, arguably the most exciting facts about Cancelo’s continuing development and City evolution is that he can get even better.
"Manchester City is a fantastic club, so I am incredibly happy to have signed this new agreement. City players have everything they need to reach their full potential, with amazing facilities, world-class teammates and an incredible manager who pushes us every single day. There is nowhere better to play football and it's a pleasure to work here," he said.
"I have so much I want to achieve before my career ends, and Manchester City offers me the best chance of fulfilling my ambitions. This new contract means I now have complete focus on improving my game and winning more trophies with this team," Cancelo was quoted as saying by Manchester City's official website.
City's Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said, "Joao is the ultimate professional. He absolutely loves football and applies himself every single day in a bid to become better. He sets really high standards, and any young player should observe the way Joao applies himself if they want a blueprint for success. He is so versatile. Whether he plays right-back, left-back, or in midfield, he operates at the same high level. That is a dream for a manager. I am really happy he has signed, and I can't wait to see him develop in the role.
Also read: January transfer window recap from the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A
