Nunes would also bring some energy and physicality to midfield. Pep wrote him off as not being intelligent enough to be #6 but he seems like a perfect candidate to play the role Bernardo is at the moment on the right. He’s got the pace and crossing to actually attack down the flank, and he’s got the stamina to cover the ground going back and forth between midfield and the wing.
27 | Matheus Nunes - 2025/26
- Thread starter samuelyeboah
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Nunes would also bring some energy and physicality to midfield. Pep wrote him off as not being intelligent enough to be #6 but he seems like a perfect candidate to play the role Bernardo is at the moment on the right. He’s got the pace and crossing to actually attack down the flank, and he’s got the stamina to cover the ground going back and forth between midfield and the wing.
Yue Wollongong
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To be fair Nunes did fine today. He cannot defend Kevin by him self for sure. There should be a helper next to him. But he didn’t let Kevin break totally free either.
hossainanan
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Absolutely. If that went in, we’d be watching replays of it for the next decade. Everything about the build-up was perfect except the finish.
Silvatoure21
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As improved as Nunes has been at RB. He always has a moment or three a game where you wonder what he was thinking. As Noisy neighbors says, Nunes and gvardiol are always a worry for XB. Expected Bozo moments
Tbh I’d like to see him back in his position now he is more confident but dropping silva is a no go so won’t happen .
Well played to Matheus Nunes. He could easily have gone into his shell following the mistake of the last game but there were very few issues on his side of the pitch and he defended well. Problems on the left were generally caused by Doku giving the ball away cheaply. That is not like him and suggestive of the need for a rest.
Rammy Blue
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Yeah, seems crazy that Pep is busy thinking how can we bolster midfield and didn’t even mention Nunes. I’d prefer Khus getting into the team and like you say Nunes would be perfect for that role that Bernie is currently playing.
To be fair he was talking about defensive midfield and he tried that last year and it didn’t work, he’s not that player.
supercity88
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Definitely. Standards are out the window at the moment. I'm not sure who would get into the City side of a few years ago based on current performances. The wasteful passing and lack of energy off the ball is staggering. If we can't keep the ball, we need players who can cover the ground and win it back. Foden and Bernie in midfield just doesn't bring enough energy if we're not the ones with the football.
That Kevin lad beat him a few times and he lost the ball for their opener, but shite was harsh
Kippax Street 1880
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He's a really really good player that Kevin. When he starts to find his feet properly he'll be one of the stars of the League. Not seen any other winger get past Nunes so easily all year.
Don't think he was great yesterday Nunes but all of the defence struggled to be fair to him.
TBF up to the Leeds game Nunes was playing really well and the fans even had chants going for him.
The problem with Khusanov is that he has only ever played 9 PL games (3 this season), struggles to pass the ball and doesn’t give anything going forward. However, He is quick and naturally a defender but a CH not a RB.
Definitely given the tough fixture list it’s time to rotate Nunes and get Khusanov back in (Not Rico).
An advantage of Khusanov in is that the back 4 can be an effective back 3 giving Nico licence to roam high up the pitch and also to invert into midfield.
The problem with Khusanov is that he has only ever played 9 PL games (3 this season), struggles to pass the ball and doesn’t give anything going forward. However, He is quick and naturally a defender but a CH not a RB.
Definitely given the tough fixture list it’s time to rotate Nunes and get Khusanov back in (Not Rico).
An advantage of Khusanov in is that the back 4 can be an effective back 3 giving Nico licence to roam high up the pitch and also to invert into midfield.
It's like when we played Ake at LB. If we can work the team around it isn't bad as he offers great defensive positioning and recovery he's just not a RB, especially as we seem to be trying to actually play with full backs now.
Lewis was great at RB when he came in because Ake did the same at LB and allowed him to invert, now Lewis looks out of place as he just like Nico is a midfielder so him being a overlapping full back and defending wingers as a last man isn't his game. Thankfully Nico has more size, physicality and his game being a box to box player so what suits being a full back more.
Id love to see Lewis in midfield for that reason and until we buy a RB have Nunes operating as a full back and Khusanov playing right back as basically a wide centre back - like Ake did to great success.
We finally have LB sorted with Nico, Josko and Ait Nouri all being able to play there effectively and Ake being able to cover like Khusanov can the right.
Millwallawayveteran1988
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He wasn’t shite but we cannot have mistakes being made like these if we want to win leagues/Champions Leagues which is surely the clubs aim.
We really need a right back and if he is good enough then move him into midfield.
My view is that he doesn’t think like a defender.
We really need a right back and if he is good enough then move him into midfield.
My view is that he doesn’t think like a defender.
ChicagoBlue
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I’m not sure you fully understand “that role that Bernie is playing” if you think Nunes is the answer!
Yes, MN could put in a shift at RM, but Bernie does so, so, so much more than that!
I would have no problem having a look at Nunes as a roving RB/RM, with Khus as RCB with Dias and Gvardiol in Back 4 to Back 3, but you then have to leave O’Reilly out unless you’re going to leave another MF or Forward out!
Ideally, Pep would like the 2-2-2-1-1 formation with Wing Backs who could get up and down all day, but I don’t think we are there yet, so he’s settled for a 4-1-4-1, with wingers who tuck into that midfield 4 ahead of Gonzales as a DM, and FBs who know when and how to get forward down the line, if the wingers stay in the inside forward position. Conversely, the FBs move inside if the wingers are outside.
The problem with both of these formations is that the opposition “out” ball is usually in behind the FB that has advanced. If we don’t have a covering player, we end up out of shape at 6s and 7s, which is when and where we look most vulnerable.
johnny crossan
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he's made it to rb on transfermkt anyway
ChicagoBlue
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Good footballing observation.
johnnytapia
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He chews gum. As does Savinho.
Indicative of someone not operating at 100%.
Indicative of someone not operating at 100%.
johnny crossan
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Rico against Leverkusen was a new low for him, shocking game but his partners in midfield were as bad.