Pep must weigh up his options

BOSS MAY NEED A RETHINK ON LAPORTE

- By SIMON BAJKOWSKI

ONE of the reasons that Joao Cancelo was allowed to leave Manchester City in the January transfer window was because the team have shifted in defence.

Pep Guardiola has become more cautious with his backline, favouring a three-man defence (usually made up entirely of centre-backs) with a full-back moving in alongside Rodri.

There are fewer opportunities for a fullback to roam forward with abandon, and more insistence on not making individual errors - neither of which suits Cancelo.

This has worked in some games, but in others it has crumbled and left City looking fundamentally weaker.

Individual errors mean they have shot themselves in the foot, while the safety-first approach at the back has stifled one of the hallmarks of the team in building out from the back.