In the early stages of his Manchester City career, it appeared that Matheus Nunes just didn’t quite fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad. Typically the Portuguese international plays in midfield. But for the Premier League champions, he just couldn’t break into City’s midfield. But during this season Nunes has shown his value to the world champions. He has played on the left wing and now he has slotted in at right-back.
Matheus Nunes at right-back has both its good and bad points. We saw both of those during City’s past two games against PSG and Chelsea. Against PSG Nunes was given a torrid time by Bradley Barcola. To his credit, he never gave in on the night, but he was unable to curtail Barcola’s influence on the game. Nunes should not take too much criticism for that. The entire Manchester City team was below their best in Paris.
But during City’s 3-1 win over Chelsea, we saw the good of Nunes’ game. He played one of this best games for the club at right-back in City’s crucial win. Nunes was sound defensively and he offered plenty when Manchester City had possession. The good in his game was on full display at the Etihad on Saturday.
Now Matheus Nunes has become an important player for Pep Guardiola. His ability to slot in at right-back is now crucial. With Kyle Walker having departed the club for AC Milan and Rico Lewis struggling for form Nunes has the opportunity to make the spot his own. With his pace and ability on the ball, he can become a crucial player for Manchester City over the second half of the season.
If his performance against Chelsea can be the standard for him going forward he will have a big role to play. The opportunity is there for Matheus Nunes to make the right-back role his own. Based on how he plays there will always be frustrating moments in his game. A strength of his game is his ability to take risks whether it’s in or out of possession. But after not appearing to have a defined role in Pep Guardiola’s squad Matheus Nunes now has a crucial role to play this season. That is a credit to him and his ability to adapt to his managers demands when he is called upon.
You’re easily convinced about Nunes aren’t you? His form has been terrible. Yes he’s not a defender but take the United game for example Some of his decision making is shocking.
He overcame his errors against United and his one against PSG to play well against Chelsea. And when you look at Pep’s current options at right-back with Walker gone Nunes is suddenly very important. Have to give him credit for his performance against Chelsea, the same way he deserved criticism against United.
Seriously ?
Nunes is only a make do full back.
He was signed as an attacking midfielder but has yet to show us anything in that roll.
When he comes up against any real quality he struggles.
Don’t understand why Lewis has fallen out of favour unless he is carry an injury.
Lewis looks tired as he’s carried a heavy workload this season.
Lewis easily get shoved down by opponents, he is physically not strong enough.
Well spotted. I noted this fault only in the current season. Did not see it last season. Perhaps because the overall flow City had is not there this season.
The guy just cannot defend…and lacks awareness in that position.