After being permitted to join Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich in January on a loan agreement with a buy option, the versatile 29-year-old seemed to have no future at the Etihad Stadium. Cancelo is back in City’s lineup despite rumours that Barcelona is interested because that clause has not been activated. Guardiola claims a player under contract until 2027 may yet have the opportunity to start over in Manchester after being benched for a preseason match against Yokohama F Marinos.
When asked for an update on Cancelo, who apparently provoked his anger before being sent to Germany, Guardiola told reporters: “He is here. In the past, Joao has been so crucial for us. He is a member of the organisation and has returned. We’ll have to wait and see.
Guardiola may use Cancelo, a Portugal international known for his ball-handling skills, in his inverted full-back system even if he was not present for City’s 2022–23 Treble celebration. Regardless of the players at their disposal, the Blues are predicted to perform well in 2023–24. When asked if he had any reservations going into the upcoming season, their manager responded, “Not this season simply in general. You can never be sure of anything in football. You are constantly surprised by football itself. I know the team and the players at the same time, which is why. I’m not considering titles right now. We play our first game and evaluate our options after the transfer window closes.We arrive in Community Shield and the first game vs Burnley and try not to drop points – and we will see what happens at the end.”