To say that news of Man City’s decision to let Joao Cancelo depart for Bayern Munich as we near the end of the January transfer window was a shock to the wider footballing community is something of an understatement.
After all, the Portugal international was one of City’s star players last season as they won the Premier League and has been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in the last two seasons. Meanwhile, he started 51 of his 52 appearances in all competitions last year, registering three goals and 10 assists.
Such form saw him rewarded with an improved contract last February, extending his deal with City until 2027, while he was handed the number seven shirt in the summer with his inverted left-back role crucial to Pep Guardiola’s set-up since signing from Juventus in a £60m swap deal, costing £27.4m and Danilo, back in August 2019.
