Pep Guardiola has proposed to become Matheus Nunes in Manchester City’s new right -back, since the midfielder is “not smart enough” for a place in his preferred position.
In the summer of 2023, City spent £ 53 million to sign from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he has a hard time getting minutes in his natural role. He started only five Premier League games as a midfielder, but has started another eight league games since Kyle Walker’s departure in January as an emergency right-back.
Nunes also started five games as a left winger this season, although Guardiola clearly does not test the Brazilian international as a midfielder.
It seems as if the change of position is likely to be permanent for Nunes, since Guardiola surprisingly insisted that the 26-year-old is not cut out for a midfield role.
“He can become a good right -back for the physicality he has,” said Guardiola. “The thing is not to play in the middle because he is not smart enough with the serenity.”
Guardiola wanted to praise his latest full-back for his performance in the 0-0 draw on Sunday with Manchester United.
“He learns a lot,” continued the City boss. “The full -back make a mistake when they cross for the long post and sleep. But he defended two or three crosses for which Bruno Fernandes was placed in the long post [Patrick] Dorgu.
“He has physicality to do it. He can play there and he helped us a lot.
“When we started the season when they said we play math in right -back and Nico O’reilly with left -back, I would say what are you talking about? But the season is what it is.”
The city is expected to be looking for a new midfielder this summer after confirmation that Kevin de Bruyne will leave at the end of the season when his contract is. Bayer Leverkusens Florian Wirtz has long been celebrated as a potential goal, but the 21-year-old is expected to have a fee of well over £ 100 this summer.
Since then, the talks with Eintracht Frankfurt have been opened about the Swedish international Hugo Larsson, who dealt with Omar Marmoush before January moved to the city in January.