In February 2022, Matheus Nunes was a part of the Sporting Lisbon team that was defeated 5-0 by Manchester City in a Champions League match. Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, praised Nunes as “one of the best players in the world today.” This admiration did not go unnoticed, and in September 2023, Nunes signed a five-year deal worth £53m from Wolves to become a player under Guardiola.
Despite only making his seventh Premier League start for City against Luton Town, Nunes appeared comfortable in his City shirt, showcasing his technical ability and offensive threat. However, observers wonder why Nunes does not play more often. The explanation is likely the strong competition for playing time in City’s talented squad. Former City player Michael Brown believes that an error leading to Luton’s goal in the recent match may be why Guardiola hesitated to give Nunes more opportunities in bigger games.
However, history shows that players like Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez took time to adapt to Guardiola’s style. Guardiola himself highlighted defender Josko Gvardiol’s tactical development for more playing time. Despite potential frustrations, Nunes could be part of a Treble-winning season, offering hope that he may eventually earn Guardiola’s full trust. The key might be to trust the process and learn from those who have come before him in the City dressing room.
In conclusion, Matheus Nunes has been highly admired by Pep Guardiola since their first meeting during their Champions League encounter with Sporting Lisbon. He signed with Manchester City later on and has shown promising signs so far despite limited playing time due to competition within the squad. With patience and hard work, he could become an integral part of Manchester City’s success this season and beyond.
