03 February 2023 , 12:53
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Pep Guardiola has insisted he has nothing bad to say about Joao Cancelo despite rumours of a rift as Manchester City let the Portuguese full-back join Bayern Munich.
Cancelo, 28, has joined the Bundesliga giants on loan for the remainder of the season with the deal including an option to make the transfer permanent for £62.1m in the summer. The full-back has already made his Bayern debut and helped his side to a thumping 4-0 victory over Mainz on Wednesday.
His departure from the Etihad came as a huge shock, despite Cancelo's game time being reduced in recent weeks following the emergence of academy youngster Rico Lewis. There have also been rumours of a fallout with Pep Guardiola which may have contributed to the decision, though his manager's response appeared to suggest otherwise.
Asked about Cancelo's exit at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: "First I wish him the very best in his four months [on loan]. Next season I don't know what happens.
"An incredible figure in the last two leagues we won. After the World Cup, we make a pre-season and decided to play, in some patterns different. I like what I watch. I give more time to other players.
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"His personality, mine, he loves to play. He trains the best, the situation he doesn't play much. In the last years one of the players with more minutes.
"He needs to play to be happy, we decide to let him go to Munich. He wants to play every single game and hopefully he can in Munich."
HAVE YOUR SAY: Have Man City made a mistake letting Cancelo go? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Cancelo has already made his Bayern debut (Helge Prang - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)Pressed further on the defender, Guardiola replied: "Listen if Bayern want Joao it's because he's a beyond exceptional player, so I'm not going to say one bad word about him. His work ethic, passion, skills. Everyone knows it.
"It happened one or two days before the transfer window. I'm really happy with the squad, always have been. I'm not sure what's best to have, one in the bank or be criticised to spend more.
"We can handle the situation. I trust a lot in the players we have. If not I'd say to my bosses 'I think we should do this'."
Asked if City considered signing a replacement in January, he replied: "Yeah we talk, but it took three minutes. I said 'do you have something', Txiki said no. I said wait. We could go to the market and pay huge amount of money. I prefer a few months until the end of the season we can do it without. In the summer we see."
Despite his departure, Cancelo insisted on social media his future is by no means finalised, as he stated: "The video on Instagram may sound like a farewell but it wasn’t meant that way. We have to see what these five months bring.
“I want to be here with a clear head. We will then talk again at the end of the season but I’m still under contract to Manchester City."
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“I don’t see it as a final departure from the club," he added. "I’ve not had much game time in the past few weeks – and that influenced my decision. It has nothing to do with my relationship with Pep."