In a recent press conference, Manchester City’s renowned manager Pep Guardiola shared a candid assessment of Matheus Nunes, a £53 million signing who has been under the spotlight for his performances.

Guardiola’s comments, reported by Fabrizio Romano on X, reveal a tactical shift for the Portuguese international, suggesting that Nunes might not have the mental sharpness required for a midfield role but could thrive as a right-back due to his physical attributes.

This statement has sparked discussions among fans and analysts, especially given Manchester City’s current challenges and Nunes’ evolving role within the squad.

Matheus Nunes, who joined Manchester City in 2023 after a £45 million stint with Wolverhampton Wanderers, has primarily been known as a midfielder.

His career trajectory has been impressive, with notable achievements at Sporting CP, where he won the Primeira Liga title and back-to-back Taças da Liga in 2021 and 2022.

Nunes also earned praise from Guardiola himself during a 2022 Champions League match, where, despite Sporting’s 5-0 loss to City, Guardiola called him “one of the best players in the world.”

However, Nunes’ journey at Manchester City has been a mixed bag. After making his debut in September 2023 against West Ham United and starting in a Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade, Nunes has struggled to cement a consistent spot in the midfield.

Guardiola’s recent remarks highlight a significant pivot in Nunes’ role. Since January 2025, following the loan departure of veteran right-back Kyle Walker to AC Milan, Nunes has been deployed in the right-back position.

This transition hasn’t been seamless. Early in his new role, Nunes faced criticism after conceding a late penalty in a 1-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium, a moment that contributed to the opposition’s comeback.

Despite this setback, Guardiola has remained optimistic about Nunes’ potential in this unfamiliar position, emphasizing his physicality and pace as key attributes that could make him a valuable asset against teams with similar strengths.

The context of Guardiola’s comments is crucial. Manchester City has been grappling with a challenging season, as evidenced by their recent 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

This defeat is part of a broader struggle for the team, which has also seen them drop points in the Premier League, including a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest and a 2-2 draw against Brighton.

Guardiola has consistently stressed the importance of securing a Champions League spot for the next season, a goal that now seems uncertain given City’s inconsistent form.

In this backdrop, repositioning a player like Nunes—whose physical condition and ability to handle the ball were praised by Guardiola—could be a strategic move to bolster the squad’s defensive options while addressing midfield shortcomings.

Nunes’ adaptation to the right-back role is still a work in progress. Guardiola has acknowledged that the 26-year-old Portuguese star is improving with each game, noting his ability to compete against teams with pace and his ball-handling skills, which stem from his midfield background.

However, the manager’s blunt assessment of Nunes’ lack of composure in the middle of the park has raised eyebrows.

It’s a rare critique from Guardiola, who is known for his meticulous approach to player development, but it also reflects his willingness to experiment with his squad to find solutions during a turbulent season.

For Manchester City fans, this development adds another layer of intrigue to an already unpredictable campaign.

Nunes’ potential transformation into a reliable right-back could provide the team with much-needed stability, especially with Walker’s absence until the end of the 2024/25 season.

As City prepares for upcoming fixtures, including a crucial Premier League clash against Chelsea, all eyes will be on Nunes to see if he can prove Guardiola right and carve out a new identity in this unexpected role.