4 hours ago
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Matheus Nunes could be the answer to one of the biggest questions facing Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Erling Haaland had a big cuddle for him in the tunnel after the midweek Carabao Cup win over Brentford while Pep Guardiola labelled him an incredible player after the victory at Crystal Palace last weekend. Matheus Nunes has been reinvented in recent months and the City problem-solver might be about to answer another question.
Nunes came on against the Bees in midfield, replacing Nico Gonzalez - City's only fit and available natural in the sitting central role. Except Nunes can play there, he has played there, in 2022 after City demolished Sporting 5-0 in the Champions League, Guardiola labelled the Portugal international as 'one of the best in the world'.
Given Rodri's absence and Mateo Kovacic's long-term injury, could Nunes now be an option to allow Gonzalez the odd afternoon or evening off? It seems viable, even if it would create a vacancy at right back. City do have options there with Rico Lewis filling in in midweek and Abdukodir Khusanov having played there earlier in the season.
Since then, Nunes has made the position his own. When he was pressed into the role as something of an emergency option last season, few saw the 27-year-old still playing there come the end of the year. But he has worked hard to adapt to his new position, has taken on Guardiola's instructions and is beginning to offer more and more.
Question marks will always exist over his defensive work. His physicality is a clear advantage and he appears to have seen off the threat of Lewis at right back while Khusanov, who was in possession of the shirt prior to his injury, has not played in the Premier League since. John Stones has been utilised on occasion, particularly in the Champions League, but he is currently sidelined and it's hard to see Nunes not retaining the shirt moving forward.
And it's moving forward where the former Wolves man comes into his own. He whipped in a lovely ball for Haaland to open the scoring against Liverpool last month and at Crystal Palace last weekend he sent over an equally delicious ball to the Norwegian.
He was also tenacious in the tackle and played a part in the second goal by winning the ball back high up on the right. He is far from the finished article as a right back, but then a right back isn't really a right back in this City team. There is scope to roam, to be involved in the attack and to play inside. Nunes has the qualities to do all three.
"Matheus is growing every time," said Guardiola. "He's becoming an incredible full-back. At the end, Matheus is a midfield player. And when you are a midfield player, you have quality to deliver these kind of situations. And he's adapting his pace in the line, helping Ruben (Dias). He has a special physicality."
Guardiola said it himself: Matheus is a midfield player. And while his City future is now at right back, his midfield knowhow could offer a new dimension for the Blues and offer some much-needed protection to Gonzalez. City are challenging on four fronts and face a potential 17 games in the next two months. Nunes could offer a midfield solution when needed.
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