What is Inverted Wing Back? Joao Cancelo?

 Manchester City currently is the best team in the Europe with their coach Pep Guardiola and their superb bunch of players mastering with good football attributes. But with an inverted wing back like Joao Cancelo they are a different gravy.

Defensively inverted wing back operates similarly to traditional full back or wing back by dropping into defensive backline.

Offensively they hold the width like a traditional wing back if there is unoccupied space ahead of them. They'll usually drift inside to overload central areas and create space for teammates.

To be a good wingback it requires a GOOD FIRST TOUCH, GOOD PASSING RANGE.

As we know to be PEP GUARDIOLA player you have to be good with the ball you have to be compose and have to be good GAME INTELLIGENCE. 

Physical fitness is also required to cover the back line during the counter attack.

Usually Inverted wing back are successful in 4-3-3,  4-2-3-1,  3-4-2-1 formations. They move centrally to create space for teammates. This can draw opposition player to combat the overload which can prevent wings from being doubled up on. 

During the Bayern Munich days pep guardiola used the inverted wing back in Bayern he had ALABA & LAHM as wing back and whwn the game continues Alaba and Lahm acquire the more central positions and act as a Central midfielders which make the formations 3-2-5 give the numerical superiority in the final third.

In 2017-18 Pep used the formation 3-4-1-2 in Manchester City with Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy as wing backs. In that season Manchester city dominated and average possession of 62.16%  with their wing back acting as a midfielders.

JOAO CANCELO play in 3-4-3 Diamond position. Cancelo operated as a wing back. Cancelo moves to become a 4th midfielders allow City to dominant in the pitch. Cancelo remain as defensive midfielder.

In final 3rd Cancelo comes alive as it steps in creative position he operates from half space. 

From RHS he operates as Mazzela. He can pick a number of attacking positions. He can put through balls, combine with team mates like de bruyne and making overlapping runs.

From LHS act as an inverted winger, he is more direct and can put crosses. This season Cancelo do both from LHS and from RHS too. 

Joao Cancelo is now in top 3 player most chance created for city. He is more like a playmaker operating from deep. As we know Trent alexander Arnold from Liverpool or Marcelo do more defensive work, just like When City looses ball Cancelo is at back to restrict the Counter attacks.

Canclo is arguably City's most important player as he help in final third as well as defensively.