Joao Cancelo admits he initially regretted Manchester City move before turnaround in form led to new deal

Jonathan Gorrie1 February 2022

Manchester City star Joao Cancelo has admitted he initially regretted his decision to join the club in 2019.

The defender made a big move from Juventus during a summer in which City bid farewell to influential captain Vincent Kompany and then lost Aymeric Laporte to a long-term injury as Liverpool emerged as title winners.

During his first campaign, the Portugal international made only 13 Premier League appearances but has since gone from strength to strength, establishing himself as one of Pep Guardiola’s major creative forces.

Able to operate on either defensive flank, the 27-year-old has registered eight assists in 30 appearances across all competitions.

Speaking to the club’s official website after signing a new two-year-deal with City, Cancelo opened up on his early struggles.

“In my first months, I wasn’t extremely happy about my decision to join Manchester City,” he said.

“I came from a club that I also like a lot, Juventus. I spoke to my girlfriend, and we agreed that I had to make the best out of myself to be able to play.

“As of December-January onwards, I started playing regularly so that makes a player happier. We players always want to play, but always with the aim of helping the team to achieve its goals.”

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