Joao Cancelo pays Pep Guardiola the ultimate compliment
Joao Cancelo believes he is learning from the best manager in the game at Manchester City in Pep Guardiola.
Cancelo, a £60million summer signing from Juventus, has started City’s last two matches after taking time to get up to speed with Guardiola’s demands.
Cancelo, speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Atalanta, said: “When I came here I came here to learn. Pep is the best manager in today’s football.
“It’s true it took me time but it is important the club wins. When I finally had an opportunity to play I did well and the team won.
“For me he’s the best manager in football today. I came here to learn from him and I think that when I play for him I always learn something.
“I’ve been aiming to win this competition since I was a child. I came here because it’s my type of football. Man City is one of the teams that can win the Champions League.
“I didn’t say Man City have a better chance than Juventus. They’re two very strong teams.”
Asked about Guardiola’s two fill-in centre-backs, Cancelo said: “It’s true that in the last match we didn’t have any central defenders, but Rodri and Fernandinho are two extraordinary players.”
While the full-back also championed Tuesday’s Etihad opponents.
Cancelo added: “They’re a very strong team, a physical team, they press very well. They have players that are technically very skilled. I believe it will be a very difficult match, we have to be very careful.
“I believe we’re two strong teams, all teams in the Champions League are strong. I believe it will be a lively, interesting match.”