Manchester City loanee João Cancelo is reportedly already “frustrated” at Bundesliga side Bayern Munich as he has once again found himself on the bench.
Cancelo shocked many with his surprise move to the German giants back in the January transfer window after apparently falling out with manager Pep Guardiola, and is now said to be unhappy once again following decisions from his new coach.
Despite making a positive impact in his opening two games, the Portuguese star has only featured in four of the seven fixtures Bayern have played since he signed and was most recently an unused substitute against relegation fodder Stuttgart. He also played just 12 minutes in the previous game.
While many argue that he cannot expect to play every game right away, the 28-year-old was considered one of the best in the Premier League before being loaned out and, to make matters worse, it is now said that manager Julian Nagelsmann is set to bench him for the Champions League tie against PSG.
News #Cancelo: At this stage he will sit on the bench against #PSG. Stanisic is likely to start. The coaches sees João as a typical right back but Bayern is playing with a back 3 since weeks. Right now no chance against Davies/Coman. Player is quiet but frustrated. @SkySportDE 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/RnQV6Okdlr
According to Sky Sports Germany‘s Florian Plettenberg, Cancelo will start on the bench for the crucial second leg against Ligue 1 champions in the Round of 16 and although he has remained relatively quiet on the situation, he is said to be “frustrated” with his current treatment.
ADVERTISEMENT
The right-back-come-floating midfielder was previously hailed as one of the most versatile and dynamic players in the Manchester City squad, which you’d think would only make him more desirable to the like of Bayern and other suitors.
However, it is now thought that Cancelo is considered a straight-forward full-back by Nagelsmann and somewhat of an ‘awkward fit’ in their current 3-5-2 system, currently preferring the more defensively-minded Josip Stanisic at right centre-back and Kingsley Coman at right wing-back.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nevertheless, it took him just 17 minutes and 14 minutes to grab an assist in his first two games, respectively, so he clearly has plenty to offer and would be considered a huge coup for most clubs.
🅰️ | João Cancelo with an assist for Bayern Munich, 17 minutes into his debut for the club.
Contrary to the rumblings, Nagelsmann has insisted that “João’s handling the situation well. I don’t have the impression that he’s breaking off. Stanišić is a bit more defensive, that’s the reason”.
While there has been no hint from either the player or his former manager at this point, given that Cancelo is only on loan, a hypothetical return to the Etihad is not out of the realms of possibility.
ADVERTISEMENT
On the other hand, it goes without saying that there would have to be some serious mending of fences in order to resolve the rift between himself and Guardiola.
What do you reckon, Blues — would you have him back in a heartbeat or was Pep’s decision the right one?
Featured Image — João Cancelo (via Instagram)/Bayern Munich (via Twitter)
Sport
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
7th March 2023 
