João Cancelo must have heard the chorus of criticism that was starting to ring out in Barcelona.
He must have felt that even Hansi Flick was having his doubts as to whether there was a place for the creative defender.
One thing we all knew is that Cancelo has talent. He is dangerous on the ball, and can deliver a killer final pass. The question was whether his offensive strengths outweigh his defensive weaknesses.
It helps him that there are no obvious answers at left full-back.
Alejandro Balde has continued
to struggle to convince, in spite of the expectation that this season he would take a big step forward and lock down his position at the Barcelona for the foreseeable future. The Spanish international has great dribbling and penetration abilities, but tends to get lost in the final third.
That’s exactly where Cancelo excels.
Now, let’s start by taking a step back. This was Levante at home. They are the worst defensive team in Spain, having conceded 44 goals. This game was tailor made for Barcelona attacking success.
Credit should be given to Flick for recognizing this and giving Cancelo the nod in a game where he could contribute the most.
Regardless of the opponent, Barcelona have to produce danger down the left flank, because it opens up time and space for Lamine Yamal on the right.
Raphinha is not a high and wide winger, so whoever is the full-back on his side should be expected to get forward and provide service.
The job is still Balde’s to lose, but he should recognize, having watched the Cancelo show from the bench, that he has to be much better if he wants to continue in this role in the future. That sense of positional competition is a must at a big club like Barcelona, and with Cancelo on board, maybe that’s just what he can provide.
I wouldn’t expect to see him in the starting lineup in the Champions League, but perhaps we will see him more often in La Liga. In the second leg against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, maybe Flick will throw caution to the wind and see if Cancelo can provide a spark.
For now, Cancelo’s man of the match performance against Levante was much needed for the player and the team alike. He wasn’t a game changing winter signing, but he has a role to play on this team.
Best of all, Barcelona are back in the driver’s seat in La Liga thanks to his efforts.
All eyes will be on Flick to see what he does next.
The choice between Cancelo, Balde, and Gerard Martín isn’t an easy one, and that’s a good thing.
