Manchester City would welcome back Joao Cancelo with open arms should he return in the summer, according to former defender Joleon Lescott.
However, with Cancelo making the surprise deadline-day move to Bayern Munich, Lescott explained how City have two perfect replacements in Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis.
Speaking from Ghana, where Lescott helped Xylem and Manchester City’s global foundation build a water tower in a rural village, the pundit explained how the Blues will manage just fine without Cancelo for the rest of the season.
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"I don't think anyone was expecting Cancelo to leave outside of the team," Lescott told MEN Sport.
"But I've been in football long enough to know there's no surprises. I've moved on deadline day myself where it's not been in the water. He's a great servant for the club, hopefully it's a loan and doesn't mean he's gone forever, because he's been a great player. In regards to this season, though, Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis have played a massive part in the full-back areas, so he's probably seen that as an opportunity to get more game time.
"If he does come back, I'm positive everyone will welcome him with open arms because he's been such a good servant."
As a player, Lescott played the majority of his career at centre-back, but was used at left-back on occasion as Ake will be asked to do in the coming months. To swap positions, Lescott believes Ake possesses the right mentality to excel as City's new first-choice left-back.
"His performance against [Bukayo] Saka last week, not just his goal but the way he defended against him, was outstanding," Lescott explained.
"That performance against Arsenal was a highlight of how he's performed all season. Even in the Spurs game he was really good, yeah we conceded two goals but he was really strong defensively. He understands different positions. He's played full-back for the national team. It's not a surprise he's performing like this but he's definitely one of the most consistent players this season.
"You get to go forward a bit which is a fun part of being a full-back from a centre-half's point of view. You get to go one-versus-one, he looks like he enjoys that which is unique for modern-day centre-halves now.
"You know it's you vs them directly. He looks like he takes pride in the ball, passing it, which is a good trait as a defender. There's a lot of defenders now that play not to get beat but are okay with the ball passing them. That never sat right with me. He looks like the ball won't pass him, by any means necessary he's going to defend it."
On the opposite flank, Lescott believes Rico Lewis has all the attributes needed to be successful as a City right-back.
He said: "It's a huge plaudit from the manager. The system the first team play suits Rico. He's only ever played this system. He's probably the most comfortable playing the way he's playing because he's only ever done that. He hasn't looked out of place, he's shone at times. He's not just fit in, he's stood out.
"The greatest respect I can pay is we shouldn't be surprised he's performing like that because he's operated at that level or formation and that standard forever. Rico Lewis is going to have a top career because he's a good player. He's very young and he's got a long way to go, but I'm sure his future is going to be outstanding."
Lescott was speaking after helping Xylem and City, who teamed up with Planet Water Foundation and Play Soccer Ghana, to provide new water filtration towers for Cape Coast in Ghana, supporting the Dehia community. The new towers will help provide for the daily drinking needs of 1,800 local people, reducing the distance they have to travel to collect water, and counter water-borne diseases.
Lescott, along with Manchester City community coaches, also supported a football and water education festival for 100 local children at the Football for Hope Centre, with training provided by Play Soccer Ghana.
He explained: "It's been a really humbling and eye-opening experience. We take for granted how easily accessible water is. We were told it was one of the most deprived villages, we built a water tower there right next to a school so the kids can wash hands. We assume that's normal but it isn't always the case.
"They had to go 3km before the tower was built for clean water, there and back. Now it's in the school grounds. Immense amount of pride to be part of that, even if it's a small contribution. The work and dedication that Xylem and Planet Water is remarkable.
"The reaction was very grateful. The whole experience has been amazing. Just being there, you get the impression they'd be grateful to be around and put activities on, let alone build a tower. Playing on a pitch that in England wouldn't be used as a football pitch. But as soon as they see a football, these kids, their eyes light up."
Young Leader Emmanuella said: “I grew up in Dehia and every morning walked for 30 minutes and then queued to fetch clean water before school. This project is helping to change lives. Now children have easier access to clean water as well as vital knowledge on sanitation and hygiene. Having the chance to meet Joleon Lescott and the Manchester City coaches has been very special and given me more inspiration to keep making a positive difference.”
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