Matheus Nunes’ to leave Man City after Pep Guardiola comment
Man City
Pep Guardiola has signalled the end of Matheus Nunes’ time at Man City with his comments about the midfielder, Danny Murphy has suggested.
The Portuguese midfielder made the move to the Etihad Stadium from Wolves back in the summer of 2023, signing for a fee of £53million [BBC Sport].
This season though has seen Nunes feature at right-back for Man City despite the presence of Rico Lewis, following the departure of Kyle Walker on loan to AC Milan in the January transfer window.
It now appears as though that is the position the 26-year-old will continue to fill for the club going forward.
Pep Guardiola Man City
Pep Guardiola has had a difficult season at Man City (Credit Imago)
Danny Murphy reacts to Pep Guardiola’s plan for Matheus Nunes
Speaking earlier this week, Guardiola claimed Nunes is “not clever enough” to play in midfield for Man City, suggesting he will instead continue in his role at right-back.
But while Murphy agrees that the former Wolves man is not good enough to feature in the centre of the park for his current team, he also feels he is not suited to a right-back role either.
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As a result, the former Liverpool and Fulham man has suggested that Nunes needs to leave the club, in order to go somewhere he can thrive as a more important player in his natural role.
Matheus Nunes for Man City in 2024/25 Total (as per SofaScore)
Appearances 21
Goals 0
Assists 4
Pass Success Rate 88%
Dribble Success Rate 50%
Duel Success Rate 46%
Premier League only
Speaking on talkSPORT about about Guardiola’s comments on the Man City man, Murphy said: “I think if you play in Pep’s team he wants you to have a certain football IQ when you play in the middle of the pitch.
“I think he could play midfield, as he did for Wolves and other teams who don’t necessarily play the same way City play, because they have a high level of football IQ when you play that.
“You need to do a lot of things well to play in City’s midfield. You need to see a lot of pictures and have a real understanding of the game which he’s not, he’s probably right, he’s not got. I don’t think he’s a right-back to be honest with you. Not a great crosser, not a brilliant passer.”
After Jim White then suggested Nunes has been looking “lost” at Man City, Murphy added: “I think it’s probably a level too far for him. I think he probably needs to drop down and be a big fish in a smaller pond.”
Man City could sanction player exit
Football Insider Verdict
Even when he has been playing at right-back, Nunes has been slammed by Man City fans for some of his performances this season.
It may well therefore be the case that he is not well-suited to playing either for Guardiola’s side, and that many at the Etihad would not complain if he was to be moved on.
Indeed, Man City look as though they will need to rebuild their squad in the summer transfer window after what has been such a disappointing season for them.
To do that they are going to have to move players on, and in these circumstances Nunes looks like a clear candidate for that.
However, his struggles may mean clubs are reluctant to pay the fee that Guardiola’s side did for him, especially when there are still three years on his contract at the Etihad.
With that in mind, this now looks like one deal that will be seen as a rather costly one from a Man City perspective.
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