Pep Guardiola has instructed Matheus Nunes might turn into Manchester Metropolis’s new right-back amid issues that the midfielder is “not intelligent sufficient” for a spot in his most popular place.
Metropolis spent £53m to signal Nunes from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summertime of 2023, however he has discovered minutes in his pure function onerous to return by. He has began simply 5 Premier League video games as a midfielder however, since filling in as an emergency right-back following Kyle Walker’s departure in January, has began an additional eight league matches.
Nunes additionally began 5 video games as a left winger earlier this season, with Guardiola clearly reluctant to make use of the Brazil worldwide as a midfielder.
It seems as if the place change is more likely to turn into everlasting for Nunes as Guardiola surprisingly insisted the 26-year-old is just not minimize out for a midfield function.
“He can turn into a superb right-back for the physicality he has,” mentioned Guardiola. “The factor is to not play within the center as a result of he isn’t intelligent sufficient with the composure.”
Guardiola was eager to reward his latest full-back for his efficiency in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United.
“He’s studying quite a bit,” the Metropolis boss continued. “The total-backs make a mistake after they cross for the far submit and they’re sleeping. However he defended two or three crosses that Bruno Fernandes put into the far submit for [Patrick] Dorgu.
“He has the physicality to do it. He can play there, and he helped us quite a bit.
“After we began the season in the event you mentioned we play Matheus at right-back and Nico O’Reilly at left-back, I’d say what are you speaking about? However the season is what it’s.”
Metropolis are anticipated to be on the hunt for a brand new midfielder this summer time following affirmation that Kevin De Bruyne will depart on the finish of the season when his contract expires. Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has lengthy been hailed as a possible goal however the 21-year-old is anticipated to command a price of properly over £100m this summer time.
Talks have since been opened with Eintracht Frankfurt over Sweden worldwide Hugo Larsson, who dazzled alongside Omar Marmoush earlier than the latter’s January swap to Metropolis.
