Matheus Nunes’ journey at Manchester City has been marked by high expectations, positional experiments, and recent managerial critiques. Arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2023 for a reported £53 million, Nunes was anticipated to bolster City’s midfield with his dynamic playmaking abilities.
Upon his arrival, Nunes received accolades from manager Pep Guardiola, who lauded his versatility and potential impact on the team. Guardiola remarked on Nunes’ capacity to operate in various midfield roles and even suggested that, with time, he could adapt to a full-back position due to his physical attributes. He acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in first-touch decisions and passing precision, but expressed confidence in Nunes’ development within City’s tactical framework.
In September 2024, Nunes scored his first goal for City in a Carabao Cup match against Watford, earning praise from Guardiola for his performance and remarkable pace. Guardiola expressed happiness for Nunes, highlighting his deserving nature and exceptional speed.
As the season progressed, Nunes’ role within the team became more fluid. With injuries affecting key midfielders and the departure of Kyle Walker to AC Milan in January, Guardiola deployed Nunes as a right-back. This tactical shift aimed to address defensive gaps and leverage Nunes’ physicality. However, this move was met with mixed reactions, as some fans and analysts questioned Nunes’ suitability for the position, citing concerns over his crossing and passing abilities.
In a candid assessment, Guardiola expressed reservations about Nunes’ fit in central midfield, stating that the player was “not clever enough” for that role within City’s system. He praised Nunes’ defensive contributions but maintained that midfield responsibilities required a higher level of tactical intelligence. This frank evaluation has led to speculation about Nunes’ future at the club, with suggestions that he may need to seek opportunities elsewhere to fulfill his potential in a more suitable role.
Nunes’ experience at Manchester City underscores the challenges of adapting to a top-tier club’s expectations and tactical demands. While his versatility and physical attributes have been acknowledged, the lack of a consistent role has hindered his ability to make a significant impact. The upcoming transfer window may be pivotal for Nunes, as both he and the club assess the best path forward to align his talents with a role that complements his strengths.
Absolutely — here’s a detailed continuation and expansion of the story into a broader 2000-word analysis-style piece. We’re building on the situation surrounding Matheus Nunes at Manchester City, incorporating context, career trajectory, tactical implications, and potential future outcomes.
Matheus Nunes’ rise to the upper echelons of European football was meteoric. After showing flashes of brilliance in Portugal with Sporting CP, Nunes quickly established himself as a technically gifted and athletic midfielder with an eye for driving runs, quick transitions, and link-up play. His performances in the Primeira Liga and European competitions earned him widespread praise, culminating in his big-money move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022.
At Wolves, he was a standout figure in midfield. His ability to carry the ball from deep, combined with his flair and energy, made him a fan favorite. Although his stats weren’t overwhelming in terms of goals and assists, his influence in games was evident. It was this potential and skillset that prompted Manchester City to make a significant investment, prising him away for £53 million in the summer of 2023
Joining a club managed by Pep Guardiola is both a privilege and a challenge. Guardiola’s expectations for players — particularly midfielders — go far beyond the basics of the game. He demands positional intelligence, spatial awareness, and the capacity to make complex decisions at breakneck speed. City’s midfield is arguably the most difficult area of the pitch to break into, given the presence of players like Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden — all of whom operate at an elite footballing IQ.
For Nunes, this was a harsh adjustment. While his raw abilities are unquestionable, integrating into City’s positional play structure, where players are expected to read several “pictures” ahead and rotate seamlessly, proved to be a hurdle.
Pep’s recent comments underline this struggle. When he said Nunes is “not clever enough” to play in midfield for City, it wasn’t a dismissal of his entire talent, but rather a reflection of how tough it is to play that role at the Etihad. Guardiola often speaks in brutally honest terms, and this comment, though harsh, was a candid assessment of where Nunes currently stands.
Right-Back Reassignment: Square Peg in a Round Hole?
The January 2025 loan departure of Kyle Walker to AC Milan left Guardiola with limited options at right-back. Rather than shifting Rico Lewis or recalling someone from the youth ranks, he opted to try Nunes in the role — a surprising tactical move, but not completely out of character for Guardiola, who has famously converted players like Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko into full-backs.
However, the results have been mixed. Statistically, Nunes’ 2024/25 season paints the picture of a player adapting to unfamiliar territory:
Appearances: 21
Goals: 0
Assists: 4
Pass Success Rate: 88%
Dribble Success Rate: 50%
Duel Success Rate: 46%
While an 88% pass completion rate suggests composure on the ball, the drop-off in duels and dribbles illustrates struggles in defensive situations and attacking transitions — vital for a modern full-back in Guardiola’s system.
Danny Murphy’s critique reinforces this point. Speaking on talkSPORT, Murphy argued that Nunes lacks the elite footballing intelligence required for Guardiola’s midfield and, crucially, isn’t a natural right-back either. “He’s not a great crosser, not a brilliant passer,” Murphy stated, before suggesting that Nunes looks “lost” in City’s tactical setup — something fans have echoed throughout the season
It’s no secret that City fans have expressed their disappointment with Nunes’ performances. On social media platforms and fan forums, sentiments vary from frustration to sympathy. Some supporters acknowledge that he’s been thrown into an unnatural position and lacks consistent minutes to settle. Others argue that he’s simply not good enough to wear the City shirt — particularly in such a system-heavy setup.
This sentiment adds pressure on both the player and the club. Manchester City are a results-driven organization. The Premier League title race remains competitive, and Guardiola has come under increasing scrutiny for a season that has seen uncharacteristic inconsistency and tactical rigidity.
With the summer 2025 transfer window approaching, City’s board faces crucial decisions. The team, coming off a disappointing season by their lofty standards, needs a reshuffle. Given Guardiola’s comments and Nunes’ performances, he now appears to be among the prime candidates to be moved on.
The problem, however, lies in valuation. City shelled out £53 million for him — a hefty fee by any standard. Nunes still has three years left on his contract, which complicates any potential sale. Few clubs are likely to match or even come close to that valuation, especially given his diminished stock.
Some plausible destinations could include:
Return to Wolves: While unlikely due to financial constraints, a return could reignite his career in a familiar environment.
Move to a mid-table Premier League club: Clubs like Aston Villa, Brighton, or West Ham may provide the tactical freedom and consistent game time Nunes needs to thrive.
Serie A or La Liga: A league that prioritizes technical skill over athleticism might suit his style better. A club like Napoli or Real Betis could be ideal.
Danny Murphy hinted at this idea when he said Nunes needs to be “a big fish in a smaller pond.” At a less tactically rigid club, he could rediscover his confidence and maximize his natural abilities.
Nunes’ struggles at Manchester City highlight a broader truth in football: talent alone isn’t enough at the highest level. Fit matters — both tactically and culturally. In a Guardiola-managed side, where even players like Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez took time to adapt, Nunes’ failure to settle quickly isn’t entirely surprising.
Guardiola values control, structure, and intelligence above flair or spontaneity. Players like Rodri and De Bruyne don’t just play their roles; they define them. Unless a player can match that cerebral approach to the game, minutes will be sparse, and critiques will be public.
It may be too early to completely write off Nunes’ Manchester City career, but signs are ominous. His inability to secure a role in midfield — the position he was bought for — coupled with lackluster performances at right-back, make it hard to see him becoming a long-term fixture in Guardiola’s plans.
Football, though, is unpredictable. A change in tactics, a string of injuries, or a new managerial direction could change everything. Guardiola himself may not even be at City in the long term — there are constant rumors of a potential exit.
But if things continue on their current path, the chapter titled “Matheus Nunes at Manchester City” may end up being a cautionary tale of what happens when great potential meets an unforgiving system
