Redaction Simon Brett with Tom Procter
Published on 2024-02-05 17:30:00
Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo recently returned from injury for Barcelona after being out for a couple of weeks with a knee injury. The Portugal international is on a season-long loan with the Spanish club and has made 25 appearances so far.
Cancelo missed some important games due to his knee injury, including a league game against Real Betis, Copa del Rey matches against UD Barbastro and Unionistas, and the Supercopa semi-final against Osasuna and final against Real Madrid. He returned to action in a 5-3 defeat to Villarreal but put in a poor performance, admitting that he was a ‘disaster’ in the defeat.
Following his return, reports have emerged that Cancelo has not been at 100% since coming back. According to Mundo Deportivo, Cancelo actually came back earlier than anticipated from his knee injury and has been playing with discomfort ever since. He “forced himself to return as soon as possible,” playing with a bulky bandage and eventually ending up with a knock.
Barcelona’s intense playing schedule with games every three days may have contributed to Cancelo’s discomfort. However, it has been reported that things are now back to normal for a couple of weeks, providing Cancelo with a chance to recover fully.
This development is concerning for Manchester City, who may not be pleased with the situation. Cancelo reportedly forced himself to return early, but playing with discomfort is not responsible on the part of both the player and Barcelona. There are concerns about the risk of injury affecting his market value and potential big sale in the summer, as he is earning £250,000-a-week at City.
It is important that the medical teams exercise caution and Barcelona protects Cancelo from further injuries. The club, on the other hand, is cautious about his playing time and have chances of recovering fully.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
