The Spanish newspaper 'Mundo Deportivo' confirmed that Barcelona's loan signing of Portuguese João Cancelo is a direct response to the team's defensive needs, especially after Andreas Christensen's injury, which allowed the club to free up financial space within the Financial Fair Play rules that was used to complete the deal.

The newspaper explained that Ronald Araújo's indefinite absence, along with Christensen's anterior cruciate ligament injury, caused a real crisis within Barcelona's defensive line, prompting coach Hans Flick initially to look for a new center-back before the plan was hindered by the high cost of the available transfers.

According to the newspaper, Cancelo, whose contract ends at the end of the season, emerged as a suitable solution both sportingly and financially, as his salary could fit within the space freed up by Christensen's long-term injury. After studying the situation, the sports management and Flick concluded that the Portuguese player is capable of filling the gap.

Cancelo's role will be at full-back, not center-back, giving Flick additional tactical flexibility, with the option to move Kondogbia to center-back if needed, which is the position preferred by the French player. Cancelo can also play on the right flank and create competition on the left side with Baldé.

The newspaper added that Barcelona was lacking a natural right-back, as this position had previously been occupied by players converted from center-back, such as Kondogbia and Eric Garcia. Cancelo comes as a clear solution that strengthens the team's defensive options in the upcoming phase.