2 - João Cancelo

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Cheat code in attack.

Is Balde even going to start when comes back?

Balde is by far a better defender but we don't look any better as a collective when he is on. Defense is still shit while Balde also makes the left side look dead

Yeah both are shit at defending but because of the offense contributions Joao wins imo.

Maybe we should try Cancelo as LW but what will be Rashy's job then ? He hates the striker position but could try it again

 

[ZenI]

Games like this make me wonder what this teem would be like with proper fullbacks.

Well Cancelo is actually THE best attacking fullback when he "attacking" things - dude dribbles better than Vini and Rodrigo put together and his vision, passing and technique is on another level.

 

[ZenI]

Yeah both are shit at defending but because of the offense contributions Joao wins imo.

Maybe we should try Cancelo as LW but what will be Rashy's job then ? He hates the striker position but could try it again

Wins by a landslide, Balde is a donkey in attack - kicks the ball forward and runs...

 

[Barcaman]

Rapha hattrick but it could have been Cancelo too.

Hope we keep him.

 

[Haraldinho]

Balde is a cone compared to him.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Hansi: “I rested Cancelo for some time to adapt, but he was great in the recent matches. He is an amazing player technically, whether in the goal he scored, or his contribution to the penalties and even in setting the offside trap. Signing Cancelo was the right choice."

 

[Barcaman]

Hansi: “I rested Cancelo for some time to adapt, but he was great in the recent matches. He is an amazing player technically, whether in the goal he scored, or his contribution to the penalties and even in setting the offside trap. Signing Cancelo was the right choice."

Great to hear as there was talk he didn't want him.

Will ultimately be judged against harder opponents but so far so great for Cancelo.

 

[BJJ]

He can look amazing against shit opposition. Its the big games where he gets exposed.
He's a winger/wingback.

 

[Barcaman]

He can look amazing against shit opposition. Its the big games where he gets exposed.
He's a winger/wingback.

Balde gets exposed against anyone. We should keep Cancelo for both flanks and sign a new LB.

 

[BJJ]

Balde gets exposed against anyone. We should keep Cancelo for both flanks and sign a new LB.

I don't like Balde either but the solution to our defensive woes was a solid, experienced cb, not a guy who can't defend.
I like Cancelo but defensively he's a liability. Watch how people tear into him when he fucks up the big games.

 

[JohnN]

I don't understand why he is not a winger.. his defending is borderline acceptable but has great dribbling skills and good vision and shot.

 

[DonAK]

I don't understand why he is not a winger.. his defending is borderline acceptable but has great dribbling skills and good vision and shot.

Same reason essentially every attacking FB/WB turned into a FB/WB.

Not good enough as wingers to make it.

If Cancelo was a winger he would probably be playing for Elche or something.

 

[JamDav1982]

I don't understand why he is not a winger.. his defending is borderline acceptable but has great dribbling skills and good vision and shot.

It has been tried in past and never really worked.

Maybe suits that 2nd run and breaking into final third with more chaos than being a set place wide for teams to defend against and front up to them,

 

[Windhook]

The question is do the balanced defensive/attacking wing back exist at all?

 

[DonAK]

The question is do the balanced defensive/attacking wing back exist at all?

Nope.

I'm sure some will try to argue Mendes like they argued Davies before, but both just use their blistering pace really well and have some physicality to work with.

If Balde wasn't built like a twink and knew how to apply his speed he could have made life difficult for opposing wingers as well. He's done it on some rare occassions where the moon is located right or something.

I'd rather have a very quick and somewhat physical RB/LB that can attack than a defensive one that looks like a clown going forward.