FC Bayern commits the Portuguese Lahm! The transfer of João Cancelo from three perspectives

FC Bayern reacted after the three draws in the Bundesliga and signed João Cancelo, a full-back who has been playing at the top level for years. According to transfermarkt.de the Portuguese is currently the most valuable full-back in the world with a market value of 70 million euros.

With the loan, the Munich team is already providing clarity with a view to the coming transfer summer – as sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirmed, a purchase option is part of the deal. And it seems clear that an established FCB defender could be over in Munich in the summer.

What does the Cancelo change mean for Bayern, the player and Manchester City?

João Cancelo: The transfer from Bayern Munich’s perspective

Cancelo can be an important piece of the puzzle for the record champions. After all, the 28-year-old can be used flexibly on the outside positions. Not only can he play at the same level on both sides, but he can also reliably fill various tactical roles. Cancelo is strong in one-on-one combat, has a high level of technical ability and is also fast – on his feet and in his head.

Tactically, he is a perfect match for FC Bayern, not least because of Pep Guardiola’s intensive training, because he can play both the attacking wing-back and the powerful full-back. Julian Nagelsmann’s options suddenly increase. The Bayern coach can easily switch to a three-man formation and would have the perfect wingers in Alphonso Davies and Cancelo.

In addition, the new signing can also play as an indenting right or left-back. A role that several players in the Bayern squad should play in order to support the build-up play in the center of midfield. Both Benjamin Pavard and Josip Stanisic are technically too limited to play at a high level. But Cancelo could be the perfect relief for Joshua Kimmich in the build-up. Since Philipp Lahm, there hasn’t been a right-back at FC Bayern who was able to take control of the game in such a way. Cancelo has similar predispositions to the former FCB captain in terms of game intelligence and technical skills.

But Cancelo also has to find his way around in Munich first – and find his form again. Most recently, he fell into a small hole in Manchester after the World Cup and even lost his regular place at Manchester City. Given the consistency he’s shown over the past few years, it’s not unlikely that it was just a phase. With the loan model, Bayern also take no risks. If Cancelo flops unexpectedly, they don’t exercise the call option. If he reaches his normal form, the serial champion of the Bundesliga has a new world-class player.

The story has a catch, however: According to the British news agency, the purchase option should be PA the equivalent of 70.1 million euros. A lot of money for a club that may have to close other construction sites in the summer. The nine position in particular is currently being discussed again in Munich. On the other hand, the Munich team proved with Lucas Hernández and Matthijs de Ligt that they are happy to pay dearly for a dream player. In this half-year he has to prove whether Cancelo is worth it at the age of 29.

João Cancelo: The transfer from the perspective of the FCB pros

In the past, Munich have often been interested in Cancelo and Nagelsmann is also considered a fan of the player. Now the transfer request is surprisingly fulfilled. However, this will also have consequences for further squad planning.

Bayern now have four right-backs in their squad: Noussair Mazraoui, Benjamin Pavard, Josip Stanisic and Bouna Sarr. The latter no longer plays any role in the planning anyway. Pavard was always a point of contention, but was always able to justify his regular place with solid performances. However, the Frenchman has emphasized several times that he wants to change. If Cancelo convinces, he should be one step closer to a transfer. A farewell in winter is considered impossible.

But the big loser is Stanisic. In fact, the 22-year-old hasn’t done anything wrong and has established himself as a reliable option on the right-back. However, it was clear from the start that the Croatia national player did not have the potential to play a central role in the FC Bayern squad. Especially at a high level, his deficits in the technical and athletic area became clear several times. Stanisic will not be able to assert himself behind Mazraoui and Cancelo.

Mazraoui is also at least a small loser in the deal. After his strong performances before the World Cup, he was about to conquer the regular place on the right defensive side of Bayern. Then he injured himself during the tournament. How long the Moroccan will be out is unclear. The Cancelo transfer can probably also be interpreted as a sign in this direction. Once the new signing has settled down, it will be difficult for Mazraoui to work out playing times.

This also applies to Daley Blind, who Bayern only signed this winter. The Dutchman can also help out in central defence, but at least now the chances that he will be allowed to play on the left flank are decreasing. There, Cancelo will probably be the first option after Davies.

João Cancelo: The transfer from the perspective of the player and Manchester City

At 28, Cancelo will probably not get many opportunities to get to know another league. Still, it’s surprising that he’s leaving Manchester City as a regular in the winter. After all, the full-back is the defensive player with the most competitive minutes in the Skyblues (1,866).

The fact that he was a bit weak recently made sure that Pep Guardiola hardly ever used him after the World Cup. The situation came to a head loudly The Athletic too when Guardiola failed to use him against Arsenal on Friday. After that, the staff got the impression that Cancelo wasn’t paying attention to the tactical briefings and didn’t listen to the coaches’ instructions.

Nevertheless, it is difficult to understand that City simply gives up one of its best players in recent years. At 28, Cancelo is far from having reached the end of his career.

Guardiola is taking a certain risk. While Rico Lewis, just 18, was able to capitalize on his chance at right back, it’s unclear how consistent he can be at that age. Cancelo only extended his contract with Manchester City until 2027 in February 2022, and now he is apparently being dropped with the first form crisis. According to that telegraph there should even have been tensions between Guardiola and his player.

The fact that he is now moving to Bayern relatively suddenly speaks in favor of this thesis. But Cancelo will have the opportunity in Munich to reach his level again and become an absolute top performer. Just like he did at Manchester City before.

At the time of his presentation, Cancelo left open how things will continue in the summer. The video, which he posted on Instagram shortly before confirming the move, should not rule out a return to Manchester, he said: “It wasn’t meant that way. We have to see what the five months will bring, I want to have a clear head be here, it’s about a loan first. We’ll talk about it again at the end of the season. But I’m still under contract with Manchester City. I don’t see it as a final departure from the club.”

FC Bayern: João Cancelo in the profile