Joao Cancelo pays Pep Guardiola the ultimate compliment

Joao Cancelo TEAMtalk

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.”