Keeping Joao Cancelo must be a priority for Deco and Barcelona this summer

Joao Cancelo’s return to Barcelona has shown he remains valuable despite doubts about re-signing him over other options. Kounde and Araujo can play in defensive roles, and Eric Garcia is also available, but Cancelo provides a more complete all-round game. He may be less dynamic than Kounde and can struggle to recover defensively at times, yet his positional sense and overall contribution stand out. Barcelona relies on full-backs who can move forward and support attacks, and Cancelo matches that requirement. He can also play left-back, providing cover when Alejandro Balde is injured or out of form. At 31, he remains fit and capable of performing at a high level, making his retention important unless financial constraints force a different approach.

"When Joao Cancelo came back to Barcelona earlier this year, the collective intake of breath from culers was palpable. Why would the club want to re-sign the right-back when Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo can both play there, while Hansi Flick also has Eric Garcia and Xavi Espart appeared to be the general school of thought. Despite all the doubters, Cancelo has certainly gone on to prove that he has again been worth his weight in gold."

"Forgeting Kounde's injury problems just for a moment, he isn't as dynamic as his contemporary has been, and certainly struggles to get back and defend at times. Perhaps his positional sense on occasion can be better than Cancelo's; however, it's the Portuguese who offers a little more in his all-round game. With Barca always reliant on full-backs that aren't just able defensively, but who can get forward with ease and be a supplementary attacking presence when required, Cancelo absolutely fits the bill."

"Where Cancelo also excels is his ability to play with equal aplomb in the left-back position, as it gives the squad options when and if Alejandro Balde is injured or off form, as has happened in the recent past. At 31 years of age, the Portuguese is still as fit as a fiddle and gets up and down the pitch with ease. Though no spring chicken, it's evident that he still has years left at the top level, and Barca would be ill-advised to allow him to leave, given the other options that they currently have at their disposal."

Read at Barca Blaugranes