The rise of João Cancelo and how Pep Guardiola transformed him into one of the best inverted full-backs in Europe.
Born in Barreiro, Setúbal District, Cancelo started playing football with local club Barreirense. He joined Benfica's youth system in 2007 at the age of 13, where he played as both right and left back.
At the age of 18 he lost his mother, Filomena, in a car crash accident after leaving the airport close to Benfica's training centre. João & his brother Pedro were also in the car and sustained minor injuries.
Their father Joséph was working in Switzerland, in order to earn more income for his family while Filomena was juggling three jobs to provide a better life for her children.
She watched him play avidly and was his greatest fan.
"I lost the light of my life, my reason for living. I love you woman of my life, wherever you are I am with you."
"I am dead inside, but I will be strong and I will give you the greatest pride in the world." Cancelo wrote.
In the 14/15 season, Cancelo joined Valencia on a one-year loan deal with the option to purchase for €15 million. He performed really well in Spain before another loan deal to Inter Milan came calling.
When he scored his first Inter goal in the 17/18 season, he celebrated by dedicating the goal to his mother.
Albeit a slow start to the new atmosphere, his performances began progressively improving, leading him to be included in Serie A's Team of the Year. Despite his good performances during the season, the club opted to not buy Cancelo.
On 27 June 2018, Cancelo was signed by Juventus on a five-year contract for €40.4 million.
He won both the Serie A title and the Italian Super Cup with Juventus in the 18/19 season before leaving for Manchester City.
At Bayern Munich, Guardiola saw something unique in Philip Lahm and lauded his intelligence. Guardiola transformed Lahm into an inverted full-back.
Inverted full-backs can help maximise the skillsets of their teammates. The occupation of the centre and half-space can allow the wingers to stay wider and the CM's playing in the hole to operate as inside #10s.
Lahm was technically phenomenal and could play several positions.
The primary reason for the 'inverted full-back' tactic is to create overloads in central areas, while simultaneously stretching the field wider.
At Juventus, Cancelo was a standard right back. Different tactics, system, league and manager. He was a key player but his potential wasn't unleashed.
Under Pep Guardiola, Cancelo has found his explosiveness.
Under Guardiola there is now an overload in the central positions due to Cancelo and Zinchenko floating in midfield and creating a 'second line'.
This also gives City a numerical advantage having 5 players in the attacking third.
Cancelo is revolutionizing the game.
Having Cancelo as an inverted full-back helps in a variety of ways for Guardiola :
🥇Coverage
🥈Compactness
🥉Numerical superiority in the build up phase
Cancelo currently has the 4th highest xA in the City team. Basically a #10 at RB and one of the main creators.
Cancelo is menace. A consistent creative outlet at the back for City. This isn't the same player at Juventus or Valencia. Guardiola has taken him to another level.
Pep Guardiola explaining his philosophy.
Joao Cancelo, a full-back, standing out in such a way with these stats is incredible.
Cancelo is ambipedal. He has no weak foot and can dribble on both feet. Versatile at a young age and Pep has found a way to utilize him best.
PhD in the Trivela?
He has similarities with Joshua Kimmich in the sense that he's sort of a hybrid between a full-back and a playmaker when he floats around in midfield. The most complete full-back in Europe imo
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