“It is Pep Guardiola’s fault”: Manager now claims Man City let “one of the best” players in the world go

Carlos Carvalhal has been speaking about Joao Cancelo – after Pep Guardiola allowed the Portugal international to leave Manchester City.

Earlier this year, the right-back had a fallout with Guardiola at the Etihad. Latest claims from Spain stated the manager was not pleased with the 29-year-old’s behaviour and asked the club to get rid of him.

The Portuguese defender is currently on loan at the Nou Camp until the end of the season after the Spanish champions were unable to raise the necessary funds to secure him permanently in the summer.

City wanted closer to £55m back the for Cancelo, who had spent the second half of last season on loan with German giants Bayern Munich. That spell in the Bundesliga failed to persuade new Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel he was worth that sort of outlay.

But with his future at Treble holders City already dead – following a major breakdown in his relationship with manager Pep Guardiola – Cancelo was offered the chance to revive his stalling career at Barcelona instead.

Since moving to Barcelona, Cancelo has been one of the most effective players throughout Europe, scoring two goals while also providing one assist across five appearances in La Liga so far.

Now, Carvalhal – who you may recall managed Swansea City in the Premier League – has revealed that he thinks Manchester City let “one of the best” go.

The Braga-born tactician said: “It is Pep Guardiola’s fault. He is one of the best right-backs in the world, a great winger, but he has done a master’s degree with Pep at City.

“He now has the ability to react, shoot, unmark, knows how to make the last pass. Xavi will also know how to take advantage of the player.”

Barcelona don’t have an option or obligation to make Cancelo’s stay permanent but recent claims have indicated they are planing to buy him from Manchester City next summer.