- Pep Guardiola has praised Matheus Nunes again
- Nunes has become a key right-back option
- Guardiola explained why the role suits him
Manchester City have not only found a solution at right-back this season, but they may have also found the role that gets the best out of Matheus Nunes.
Nunes arrived at City as a midfielder, but Pep Guardiola has increasingly used him in a wider defensive role.
The Portuguese international has had to adapt quickly as his midfield experience didn’t include defending wide like a full-back.
However, Guardiola’s latest comments suggest that the change has not been a compromise. Instead, the wide role is bringing out the best in Nunes.
Pep Guardiola explains Matheus Nunes change
Guardiola was asked how he has transformed the Portuguese midfielder into one of the best right-backs in the world.
However, the Catalan manager didn’t take any credit for the transformation. Instead, Guardiola let the player’s efforts speak for themselves.
“Him. He has the physical conditions. He’s a midfielder in terms of passes and has incredible pace. He surprised me a lot how tactically he’s so smart and intelligent,” Guardiola said.
The manager added, “He deserves all the incredible [praise]. Like Jeremy [Doku], he’s made another step as a football player.”
“I am really, really, really pleased because he can play there, but one day we’ll need him as a holding midfielder, and he can do it; he can play in pockets. But I think he’s a player that in small spaces he struggles a little bit, and in bigger spaces he’s top.”
Guardiola may have hinted at Man City’s right-back plan
Guardiola’s comments also arrive at an interesting time, with City recently linked with the possibility of strengthening at right-back.
Likewise, Kyle Walker’s departure to Burnley has left a big dent on the right flank, which the Sky Blues are yet to fill.
Despite Nunes’ impressive adaptation, Guardiola may have hinted at the right-back position being a priority for City this summer. The manager said that they will need Nunes back in midfield one day.
This may suggest that in the long-term, the Catalan manager wants Nunes back in midfield as they shop for a right-back in the upcoming transfer windows.
Guardiola has found a useful tactical hybrid
While not a traditional right-back, Nunes’ midfield experience does offer him an attacking understanding of the position.
Guardiola usually employs an inverted full-back, i.e., the wide defenders move into the centre while attacking.
The Catalan manager uses this to overload central areas for numerical advantage during ball progression. Regardless, Nunes is still caught off guard while defending the flanks.
However, this hasn’t resulted in catastrophic mistakes from the Portuguese international. Nevertheless, until City find a right-back, Nunes will probably remain Guardiola’s first choice for the right.
