The controversies that increasingly distance João Cancelo from FC Barcelona

If there is a topic that has sparked a great debate in various sectors related to FC Barcelona, it is whether the club will once again bet on having João Cancelo in this newly inaugurated 2024/25 season. His inclusion, which initially seemed valuable due to the proven quality of the Portuguese, faces increasingly more obstacles due to the complexities surrounding the operation.

More than a purely sporting issue, the main barrier to the continuity of the Barreiro native in the Blaugrana squad is of an economic nature. Firstly, it is widely known that the right-back, due to his high 'cachet' as a player, receives quite high earnings. How much exactly? Approximately 8.3 million euros net (15 'kilos' gross) according to 'Capology' metrics. This amount could be difficult to fit into the salary structure of the Catalan club if João is not willing to lower it, and Manchester City is not in a position to assume part of his payment.

The sporting arguments that do not help Cancelo's continuity at Barça

Sportingly, opinions on Cancelo do not seem to be unanimous. His versatility is positively valued, being able to play both as a right-back and as a left-back, a necessary quality in a squad that tends to be short like Barça's. Likewise, his offensive quality is recognized, highlighting him as one of the best in the world in that aspect. However, he is criticized defensively for not being the most reliable full-back and for making errors in crucial moments, being singled out on several occasions in important matches where Barcelona did not emerge victorious.

With Jules Koundé's presence as a solid solution at right-back and the return of Alejandro Balde as the starting left-back, the question arises of whom to sacrifice to make room for the Portuguese. Needless to say, his arrival at the Barcelona team would not be to occupy a secondary role, which would imply adjustments to the squad.

Does the Portuguese have problems in the Culé dressing room?

To conclude, according to 'SPORT', there are doubts about João's integration into the dressing room, due to certain off-field behaviors that have caused discomfort among some 'heavyweights' of the club. Likewise, his relationship with young players has also been questioned. Faced with these circumstances, the team from the Catalan capital faces growing questions about whether to acquire Cancelo for this season. The mystery persists: will they? Only time will tell.