‘Learn how to defend first’, ‘Dalot playing better atm’ – Man City fans react as Joao Cancelo ‘believes he is not properly valued’ by Portugal manager

Manchester City fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relays a report that claims Joao Cancelo ‘believes he’s not properly valued’ by Portugal manager Fernando Santos.

Portugal pillaged their way into the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup after a monumental 6-1 win over Switzerland in a statement performance from Fernando Santos’ A Seleçao that was bereft of the presence of iconic figure Cristiano Ronaldo, and instead, was headlined by the youthful exuberance of SL Benfica starlet Gonçalo Ramos.

But Ronaldo was not the only Portuguese star axed from the matchday XI by Santos after Manchester City full-back João Cancelo did not feature from the first whistle, with Santos keeping faith in Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot while Borussia Dortmund left-back Raphaël Guerreiro was given the nod over the versatile City man.

According to reports from Portuguese news outlet Record (cited by Sports Witness), Joao Cancelo ‘believes he’s not properly valued’ by Fernando Santos, and that feeling started when the national team were still having the preparations for their trip to the World Cup.

Joao Cancelo ‘believes he’s not properly valued’ by Portugal manager Fernando Santos. He feels he is ‘misunderstood’ positionally by the national team coach, and believes ‘external pressure’ played a role in being replaced by Diogo Dalot.

[@Record_Portugal via @Sport_Witness]

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) December 8, 2022

Record’s report also suggests that City teammates Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva have tried to lift his spirits during the current situation but after Portugal’s stunning performance against Murat Yakin’s Nati, Cancelo may have to accept being consigned to a spot on the bench once again as Santos will now have little-to-no reason to change a formula that produced what was arguably the best overall performance of any nation this winter in Qatar.

The report shared on Twitter gathered a number of replies from a wide range of Man City supporters.

“Tbh Santos gave him a chance, but when he saw he is a liability defensively he took action before it’s too late. I don’t think Santos is biased..”
Credit: @ManCitty9320

“Being versatile really hurts your position in international football.”
Credit: @ErlingRoIe

“I’m gonna be completely honest, he hasn’t been great this season, he hasn’t been bad tho, it’s just he hasn’t been the world class player that we know a love.”
Credit: @CaribbeanMCFC

“I like Joao a lot but his performances the last 2 months show why he’s been replaced by Dalot. Doesn’t look himself at all.”
Credit: @Jacob4rmstrong

“Really Hate to say but Dalot is better than him at the moment.”
Credit: @AremuZubair

“Tell him to learn how to defend first”
Credit: @dee_Kayy11

“Being totally honest Dalot is playing better at the moment so it’s only fair he has the shirt.”
Credit: @h3mzamcfc

“City fans have to agree thay defensively Cancelo is a weakness.”
Credit: @JackyG_10

“Not his best playing as a high and wide RB which is how they play. Better when he’s inverted on the right or high and wide on the left.”
Credit: @FodensDad