Difficult one.
He’s been largely injury free so available for selection throughout, and he’s also come knowing the League. That should have given him a strong basis.
Based on the evidence, though, it would be impossible for anyone to say that he can be viewed as a direct starting replacement for Rodri in games, unless he has Kovacic in beside him; and, even when they have been paired, it hasn’t always been error free and we’ve looked jittery.
Has he shown enough, therefore, to warrant a central midfield slot ahead of say one of the more creative players? Probably not, and especially not when starting against a top opponent.
However, he has shown glimpses of talent, so perhaps he could be groomed for the right-back role in the way Delph and Zinchenko were. Yet, that was obviously never our intention for him and we could have had Porro.
If those options aren’t workable, then it becomes harder to see how we can justify keeping him. If we are seeking to shift him, will it be easier to move him on this summer or next? People don’t like comparisons with Phillips, yet the harsh reality is that the longer his situation remains unclear, other clubs might make the comparison: Nunes doesn’t play > Guardiola doesn’t trust him> We’re not touching. We already have Cancelo and Phillips and don’t need any more on that list.
I’m hopeful that he can come good and start with a strong pre-season (something he missed), but if I’m honest, my hope at present is largely based on hope.
As I say, a difficult one.