'Cancelo has been the best player in training since the restart' - Guardiola backs Man City full-back amid transfer rumours

BetOdds Manchester City Watford v Manchester City Premier League João Cancelo

The Spanish boss is pleased with the progress the Portuguese defender has made this year and still believes he has a bright future at Etihad Stadium

Pep Guardiola says he is fully behind Joao Cancelo despite ongoing transfer rumours, insisting the Manchester City full-back has been "the best player" in training since the restart.

City expected Cancelo to compete with Kyle Walker for a regular spot at right-back after luring him to Etihad Stadium from Juventus for €60 million (£54m/$69m) last summer.

However, the 26-year-old has had to be content with a bit-part role in Guardiola's squad throughout the season and has only featured in 16 Premier League games in total for the Blues to date.

Questions are already being asked of Cancelo's future in Manchester, despite the fact he still has five years left to run on his current contract.

The Portugal international's latest appearance came in a 4-0 victory over Watford on Wednesday, which he started at left-back ahead of Benjamin Mendy.

Guardiola insists there has been a change in Cancelo's attitude since last month's Premier League restart, and he expects his contribution to City's cause to increase with each passing year.

Asked to address speculation surrounding the ex-Juve defender after City's win at Vicarage Road, the Spanish head coach told reporters: "The most incredible thing from Joao is now he is a completely different individual from when he arrived. We need time to understand each other, him to me and the team and me to him too.

"What I want is his behaviour that he is doing after the restart.

"Unfortunately for us, when we came back to restart he was the best player in the training session and was incredible, and unfortunately he had a little problem on the dangerous part of his leg and he was stopped for a while, but all I want with Joao is this happiness in the training session, and a relationship with his team mates because we know the quality that he has.

"With his happiness in the training sessions, he is going to help us a lot in the next seasons. He understands us better than the beginning and we understand him better.

"Sometimes you need time and now he is happy. he is an incredible communicator; we are delighted in the last few months what he is doing with us."

Cancelo will be back in contention for a place in Guardiola's line up when City play host to Norwich on the final day of the Premier League season.

The Etihad outfit will then turn their attention back to the Champions League, with a last 16 second-leg showdown against Real Madrid on the cards next month.

2020-07-22 10:00:03

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