At a glance
- Joao Cancelo joined FC Barcelona for the second time on loan in the winter.
- Under Hansi Flick, he’s been much improved than the ‘loose cannon’ version we saw on Xavi Hernandez’s watch.
- Cancelo has notched two goals and four assists so far, including that for Ronald Araujo in Sunday’s 1-0.
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has given the green light to Joao Cancelo’s continuity at the club according to SPORT’s Lluis Miguelsanz.
The report comes less than 24 hours after Cancelo assisted Ronald Araujo for his headed corner winner in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, which ReadBarcelona witnessed in Gol Sud at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Above all, Flick is convinced that Cancelo’s versatility “gives a lot to the team”. The German is “clear” that the Portuguese full back helps it arrive in the opposition’s penalty box and that, defensively, “he can make it improve”.
Cancelo has undergone a renaissance at FC Barcelona
Culers that tell you they were enthused upon hearing the news that Cancelo had signed for Barça for a second stint in January 2026 are either lying or were in the minority.
As Pol has already analysed in depth on these pages, however, veteran journeyman has undergone a renaissance under Flick in this particular loan assignment.
Considered a “loose cannon” on Xavi’s watch, and blamed almost as much as red-card recipient Ronald Araujo for the 2024 Champions League quarterfinal second leg exit to Paris-Saint-Germain for his erratic display, he is now one of the current manager’s most trusted defensive disciples.
At a time when both usual full back options in Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are injured, Cancelo can play at either left or right back which takes pressure off La Masia graduate Xavi Espart and Araujo.
On Sunday, Flick fielded Cancelo on the left and Araujo on the right despite the latter’s poor display there against Newcastle in the UCL last 16 first leg at St. James’ Park.
In the end, however, it was Cancelo’s corner from the left headed in at the far post which gave Barça a much-welcomed win, as part of a shaky team display overall where MVP Joan Garcia’s four fantastic saves ended up deciding the fixture.
Cancelo could be a bargain for FC Barcelona
With a year left on his Al-Hilal contract, Cancelo could come cheap-ish for FC Barcelona considering the Saudis only signed him for €25 million from Manchester City in the summer of 2024.
It is rare to acquire an international star in that kind of arrangement, and one that will keep academy prodigies Balde and Espart on their toes moving forward.
In Cancelo, Flick also gets a winger in essence as seen against Rayo. When he pushes up, Flick’s back four can become a back three with Gerard Martin, who also plays a left back, drifting across from the centre with Pau Cubarsi to provide width.
