Benfica insider explains 'special' Joao Cancelo attribute that makes him perfect for Man City

Benfica academy co-ordinator Rodrigo Magalhaes believes Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo's versatility is what makes him such a "special player".

Cancelo joined City in August 2019 and has made over 100 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side.

Despite being a full-back by trade, Cancelo often finds himself playing as either a winger or a central midfielder in Guardiola's set-up.

Magalhaes has explained Cancelo was trained to be a versatile player at a very young age and that is why he's such a special full-back.

He told LiveScore : "He plays like a winger really. He plays much more like a winger than a right-back. In U14s, U15s, we started to put him on the right and left like a winger, or right or left-back.

"He has an offensive mentality, he likes to bomb on and in the last third of the pitch he crosses like nobody else. He also likes to shoot on goal.

"We didn’t want to stop these characteristics. We needed to look to Cancelo and admit that he is a right-back, but a right-back that 20 times a game will go into the last third."

Magalhaes continued by explaining Cancelo's mentality had played a key part in his development and that the Portugal international would never neglect his defensive duties despite being such an asset in the final third.

Magalhaes added: "We had a right-back who defended very well but attacks like a winger. For us, it was no secret. I think everyone loves him for that. It is not common as a full-back. They are amazing characteristics to have.

"It is amazing because when they [the opposition] stop your winger, that is not a problem when you have Cancelo and he acts like a winger.

"He crosses from everywhere, goes inside and can shoot with his right foot, left foot. I think he’s very, very