Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Guardiola admits mistakes during Cancelo’s early struggles
MANCHESTER City coach Pep Guardiola admitted he initially got things wrong with Joao Cancelo, which contributed to the fullback’s early struggles at the Premier League club.
Portugal international Cancelo joined City in 2019 from Italian side Juventus, but found it difficult to adapt and was unable to hold down a regular spot in the City side.
Now, after signing a contract extension this week committing him to the league leaders until 2027, Cancelo is one of City’s standout performers. “Everybody knows how important Joao is for us after what we have done in the last two seasons,” Guardiola told a news conference yesterday, ahead of his side’s FA Cup clash with Fulham.
“We struggled together in the first part where he arrived – we did not agree on many things, partly because of my mistakes, but now he is an incredible person and I’m so delighted that he’s happy here and can play in this club for the next years.”
Guardiola also praised the club’s work in securing the signing of Julian Alvarez from River Plate on a five-and-a-half-year deal.
The 22-year-old forward will remain at the Buenos Aires side on loan until July, before joining up with his new City teammates.
“In the next pre-season he’ll be with us, after which we’ll decide what happens, every season the squad moves.”
The City boss also said Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus is a doubt for today’s home FA Cup clash with Fulham, after he returned from international duty with a slight injury.
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said he did not contact Barcelona’s out-of-favour winger Ousmane Dembele during the January transfer window and that he was satisfied even though the Premier League club did not add new players.
British media reported Chelsea were interested in France international Dembele, who was told by Barcelona to leave before the January transfer window closed after negotiations over a new contract broke down.
However, the France international, who played under Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund in 2016-17, was unable to find another club before deadline day and will stay at Barcelona until the end of the campaign.
“I did not have contact with Ousmane (Dembele). There was no contact in winter between us,” Tuchel told reporters yesterday.
Tuchel said the club tried to sign new players last month, but settled for finding a solution within the current squad.
Tuchel said Chelsea have a fit squad for today’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against thirdtier club Plymouth Argyle, apart from midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and full backs James and Ben Chilwell who are injured.
Forward Christian Pulisic and centre back Thiago Silva did not train after returning from international duty, Tuchel added.