Pep Guardiola believes £53m Nunes can shine at right-back
Manager Pep Guardiola insists Matheus Nunes has the qualities to become a top right-back after his recent impressive performances, while warning against the trip to Villa Park when Man City are three points behind Arsenal.
Ahead of the Premier League trip to Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola is betting on a tactical gamble: Matheus Nunes at right-back. The Manchester City manager insists the £53m player can become one of the best right-backs in the world if he maintains his current form.
Key moment: Matheus Nunes' new role
Nunes joined Man City from Wolves in the summer of 2023 for £53m, but has struggled to compete in a crowded midfield. Abdukodir Khusanov's injury has opened up the opportunity for him to be tested on the right wing. According to Pep, Nunes has adapted very well, especially impressive in the recent match against Villarreal.
In the last two or three games, the Spaniard described Nunes as “unbelievable” – a sign of a rapidly evolving scheme, just when City need flexibility on the flanks.
Tactical analysis: from holding midfielder to right back
“He can be an extraordinary right-back,” said Pep. Originally a holding midfielder, Nunes has a strong physical foundation. According to Guardiola, the key is concentration and mindset: by simply changing his perception of his role on the wing, Nunes can take his game to the next level.
Outstanding qualities on the right border
Pep stressed that Nunes has “special qualities to play on the wing”. With his physical foundation and habit of playing in high-intensity environments in midfield, being pushed out to the right wing helps him develop his ability to compete, cover space and participate in building play in wider areas.
Adaptation requirements
Guardiola believes “the problem now is Matheus himself”: he needs to change his mindset, maintain focus in defensive situations on the flanks and adjust his positional sense. These are difficult but necessary changes to turn flashes of performance into consistency.
Key facts and statistics
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Time of joining | Summer 2023 |
| Transfer fee | 53 million pounds |
| Test location | Right back |
| Recent notable matches | Meet Villarreal |
| Coach's review | “Can become an extraordinary right-back” |
| Short-term performance | “The last two or three games... unbelievable” |
| Upcoming opponents | Aston Villa (Villa Park) |
| Evaluate your competitors | Pep highly appreciates coach Unai Emery; the match is among the most difficult of the season |
| Championship race situation | Man City is 3 points behind Arsenal |
Reaction from Pep Guardiola
Guardiola stressed: “Matheus is a holding midfielder with an incredible physical base and if he focuses he can become one of the best right-backs.” He also insisted the key factor is mindset: “The problem now is Matheus himself... he has special qualities to play on the wing.”
The Spaniard also sounded cautious ahead of Villa Park: “They have played much better than us in the last two games at Villa Park. Hopefully this Sunday will be different.”
Impact on the race and prospects
Man City are chasing Arsenal, three points behind. A favorable result against Aston Villa is a must to maintain the chase. In that context, Nunes' emergence as an option at right-back opens up rotation options for Guardiola – especially in the busy schedule.
However, Pep chose a cautious approach: appreciating Unai Emery and what Aston Villa showed at Villa Park. Man City's focus is to turn Nunes' positive signals into stable performance, while controlling risks in what is expected to be the most difficult match of the season.
