Joao Cancelo arrived at FC Barcelona hungry for minutes and a prominent role. Despite limited competition in the preseason, the Portuguese full-back has become an indisputable presence since his debut. After coming off the bench in his first appearance in Pamplona, Cancelo has earned starting positions in all five subsequent games for the club.
While it seemed likely that Cancelo might rotate for the first time ahead of the match against Sevilla, given the substantial workload of minutes, the situation unfolded differently. He had played continuously after the international break, featuring in both a starting role and as a substitute for Roberto Martinez's Portugal.
There had been speculation about who might replace him at right-back, with names like Koundé and Sergi Roberto mentioned. However, not only did Cancelo start, but he also completed another full game. According to SPORT's sources, the coaching staff employs tools to assess various player metrics, including fatigue levels. When fatigue is high, a red light signals the need for rest due to the increased risk of injury. In Joao's case, the indicator remained green, suggesting no significant fatigue levels.
Cancelo has proven to be a vital figure in Xavi's team, and his importance is expected to grow as he accumulates more training sessions and becomes familiar with the team's tactical nuances. While fans await his signature moves, such as playing on the left and connecting inside, as well as delivering trademark crosses from the outside, Cancelo has already contributed with two goals and an assist.
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