Joao Cancelo is widely seen as one of the best full backs in the modern game, so his January exit from Manchester City came as somewhat of a surprise.
The Portugal international quickly became unhappy with his lack of game time under Pep Guardiola towards the end 2022, despite collecting all sorts of domestic silverware after his move from Juventus in 2019.
A winter exit to Bayern Munich was quickly agreed, with Guardiola happy to ship out players who become unhappy at the Etihad.
Cancelo’s exit is a significant one, so how have the Citizens fared in the 28-year-old’s absence so far?
|
Position |
Team |
Games Played |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Man Utd |
4 |
10 |
|
2. |
Man City |
4 |
7 |
|
3, |
Fulham |
3 |
7 |
|
4. |
Wolves |
3 |
6 |
|
5. |
Leicester |
3 |
6 |
|
6. |
Liverpool |
3 |
6 |
|
7. |
Tottenham |
3 |
6 |
|
8. |
Everton |
3 |
6 |
|
9. |
Brentford |
3 |
5 |
|
10. |
Bournemouth |
3 |
4 |
|
11. |
Brighton & Hove Albion |
3 |
4 |
|
12. |
Arsenal |
4 |
4 |
|
13. |
Nottingham Forest |
3 |
4 |
|
14. |
Southampton |
3 |
3 |
|
15. |
Crystal Palace |
3 |
2 |
|
16. |
Chelsea |
3 |
2 |
|
17. |
Newcastle Utd |
3 |
2 |
|
18. |
West Ham Utd |
3 |
2 |
|
19. |
Leeds Utd |
4 |
1 |
|
20. |
Aston Villa |
3 |
0 |
Man City haven’t been too badly affected by Cancelo’s departure as they’ve accumulated the second-most points in the Premier League since facilitating the full-back’s departure. However, they have played one more game than most of the division.
The Citizens have claimed seven out of a possible 12 points since the end of the January transfer window. Victories over Aston Villa and Arsenal have been undermined by yet another defeat at Tottenham and a draw at Nottingham Forest.
Man Utd have accumulated the most points in the league (ten), but like City, they’ve played four times. Fulham have been the most productive side out of the teams who’ve played three games, while current Premier League leaders Arsenal have endured a difficult February thus far. The Gunners have notched just four points from their last four outings.
Chelsea‘s woes have continued despite their heavy-spending January. The Blues have picked up just two points from a possible nine and sit 16th in the above table. Worse off than the Blues are Newcastle, West Ham, Leeds and Villa. The Villans haven’t won in February, while Leeds have picked up just a point from their last four games.
Credit: 90min.com
