Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has discussed the quality of £60m signing Joao Cancelo, with the Portuguese international set to compete with Kyle Walker for a place at right-back.
Man City completed the signing of the 25-year-old from Juventus this week, sending Brazilian Danilo to the Italian champions in part-exchange.
Guardiola confirmed Cancelo will not be in contention for the club’s Premier League opener with West Ham this weekend, but is confident the full-back will settle quickly at the Etihad.
“Cancelo will not play yet, he only arrived two days ago but he will settle good,” Guardiola said in his pre-match presser.
Cancelo’s arrival has caused doubts over the future of Kyle Walker, with the England international having been a fixture for City since his arrival from Tottenham in 2017.
Guardiola insists Walker remains in possession of the right-back spot, but says competition is important as he bids to improve his squad.
“He came and gave us something we didn’t have. Without him it would have been so difficult to achieve,” he added.
“His physicality is beyond normal, for Kyle it’s important to have good competition, and with Cancelo he will have that.
“They have to fight for the position; Cancelo can play on the left too. The guy who is confident has more chances to play. Right now Kyle is the one.”
Blow for Man City (and Bayern) as Guardiola confirms ‘incredibly bad’ Leroy Sane injury
See also – The Football Faithful’s Premier League predictions for the 2019/20 season
