While the news of Joao Cancelo’s signing was an open secret in recent days, delays in paperwork saw the process slightly delayed. It was only an hour ago that the club officially announced his retur...
While the news of Joao Cancelo’s signing was an open secret in recent days, delays in paperwork saw the process slightly delayed. It was only an hour ago that the club officially announced his return.
The player signed his contract with the club in a short ceremony and will be a Barcelona player until the end of the season. He arrives to strengthen the full-back positions and thus deepen the defensive depth.
He will join Hansi Flick’s plans immediately and don the number 2 shirt for the ongoing stint.
Cancelo’s first thoughts as a Barcelona player
The new signing spoke to the media after being unveiled as a new Barcelona player, and he began by revealing the goal with which he is returning to the club.
“I have come here to help and win titles with Barça. I had the chance to be with the team this morning, and they have received me very well.”
“I feel at home at this club. It is the only club that gives me goosebumps when I sign,” he added.
Cancelo was then asked the story of how the idea of returning to Barcelona appeared and eventually materialised.
“I spoke to Al-Hilal. They told me there was a chance to leave. There were interested clubs, but Deco called me, and I told them that I would wait for Barça, which was my first choice.”
He also revealed how he spoke to Hansi Flick and what he made of the team.
“I’ve talked to him. This is a very talented team. Some of the kids have become men. They have evolved a lot. I come to help this team, and if it is possible to win titles.”
“I talked to the manager. I am available for any position. I’m going to do my best. I feel comfortable as a right back and as a left back,” he added.
“What I like is how the team plays. It is a team of attack and possession. I’m more of an attacker and this is going well for me. The boys are very good, playing good football,” he added on Flick’s style.
The defender then spoke on how it was always his dream to play for Barcelona and how he was pleased to get another chance to defend the club’s crest.
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“When I was in Valencia, I had the opportunity to come, but it didn’t happen. Almost all my idols were from Barça. I played with Benfica in the quarry against Barça teams.”
“I identify a lot with the culture of the club. I have just played a season, but today I came back and I felt at home in the locker room. I have a special feeling for this club,” he added.
When asked about his fitness and how he felt in terms of his physical preparation, Cancelo said,
“I physically feel good. In Arabia, there is a limit on foreigners and I was unlucky enough to get injured in September. I’m ready to try to play.”
The player then admitted that he did not know what would happen at the end of his loan but that he wishes to win trophies this season.
“It’s hard to say because I have a contract with Al-Hilal. I want to enjoy, perform, and help the team improve if possible. I wasn’t lucky enough to win titles when I was here and I want to win.”
“Barça is a winning club. This club lives on titles. I was unlucky, but the boys have grown a lot. Now they are better and the staff is stronger than when I was here,” he added on winning trophies.
The new signing was then asked about his relationship with the dressing room and how he still maintained cordial ties.
“With almost everyone. I had a good relationship with everyone. Cubarsí, Fermín, Lamine, Raphinha, Araujo.”
“One of the best groups I’ve ever had was when I was at Barça. The group hasn’t changed and I’m very comfortable here,” he added.
Speaking specifically on his competition at full-back positions, Cancelo said,
“I come to understand my space. I’m going to train to play. Jules, Balde, Gerard Martín, and Eric are doing very well. I like challenges.”
“I always try to improve the defensive part. Criticism is part of football. I accept it to be a better player. I’m here to improve and for my team to help me, as I am to help them,” he added on where he can improve.
The player then spoke on the recent Spanish Super Cup final and Real Madrid’s sacking of their manager within a day of the defeat.
“The Super Cup? It was a perfectly fair result. Barça are a team that plays total football, they have a lot of quality up front, in the midfield, and in the defence.”
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“A big club doesn’t want to see another big one sunk. Barça always tries to win, regardless of whether Madrid is right or wrong. We want to win as much as possible to achieve the challenges we have until the end of the season,” he added.
With the Spotify Camp Nou now reopened, the defender will play at Barcelona’s true home stadium and he expressed his excitement about the same.
“As a visitor, I don’t have very good memories. I want to have the experience of playing at Camp Nou. I’ve been waiting for it for a long time. When I saw Dani Alves play there I wanted to do his thing. It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time.”
Towards the end of his interaction, he gave his thoughts on Lamine Yamal and the teenager’s talent.
“Yes, I spoke to Lamine. He has had a great evolution. If he is not the best, he is in the top 3. He is at the top.”
“He’s doing very well and his shirt doesn’t weigh him down. There are games that he decides alone. My connection with him? We’ll see it in the field,” he added.
On what he will bring to the team, Cancelo said,
“What I can promise is commitment, work, and giving everything for this club.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Category: General Sports
