Pep Guardiola admits he made Joao Cancelo mistake early in Man City career

Pep Guardiola admits that he and Joao Cancelo did not see eye to eye when the player first arrived at Manchester City, mainly down to his own “mistakes”.

The Portugal international this week signed a deal aimed at keeping him at the club until 2027, a reflection of the importance he has assumed in Guardiola ’s table-topping team.

But when Cancelo arrived at City in 2019, he struggled for playing time and was unable to shift Kyle Walker from the right back spot while not looking entirely at ease as a makeshift left back.

That all changed last season, when Cancelo became integral to City’s Premier League title win and to reaching their first Champions League final — and is now a key man whether he plays left back, right back or midfield.

Guardiola confessed that he made errors with Cancelo in the early days of their relationship, when the player almost sought a transfer back to Italy or Spain.

The City boss said: “We struggled when he arrived, we did not agree on many things, partly because of my mistakes, but now I’m delighted he’s fully happy and can play here for the next seasons.

“He can play in many positions, can play every day, physicality, he’s so funny and loved in the locker room.”

Asked to expand on what the mistakes were, Guardiola replied: “Normally he’s playing every time now, that’s the main reason.”

And he went on to hint that he perhaps did not handle it well when omitting Cancelo in that first season.

“Players accept more than others playing minutes, he wanted to play every time and when he doesn’t he’s not happy,” added Guardiola. “Now he understands, we know each other better, every player has to be treated differently.

“He’s an incredible person with a big heart but he’s sensitive. I needed time