27 | Matheus Nunes - 2025/26

[oldius]

Did you watch the same game?

Shite in the air which nearly gave them a goal and about 100yrds behind the defensive line playing them onside for their second goal for starters. It’s ok to say he was shit, same way that he’s got praise when he’s played well.

It is absolutely fine. His general play was decent. Personally, I would not be playing him, preferring to give Reis the opportunity, and I think he is, possibly, the weaker of our defensive options, but I do not think he was shit.

 

[Paul1970]

Dias wasn't with us in 17/18, Otamendi was our #1 CB as Kompnay (17 starts) and Stones (16 starts) had injury hit seasons that made us move for Laporte (9 starts) in Jan

I think Gvardiol and Dias is not far off that level, obviously we dont have Walker but at least we've added a strong LB on paper in Ait-Nouri

Walker - Otamendi - Kompany - Delph

Vs

Nunes - Dias - Gvardiol - Ait Nouri

If you had to pick 4 players from those 2 back-lines you're taking 2 from each

Dias was with us for zinc though and j was using players as examples . End of day we will see what happens .

 

[decmancity]

That quote from Pep was way out of order wasn’t it, fair play to Nunes for taking it on the chin.

tbf, maybe Pep thought that was what he needed. Hes kicked on since!

 

[yankblue]

I like Nunes more than most, and have defended him on here, but I still feel like going into the season with him as our primary RB option is asking for trouble.

He can clearly play as a RB, he's improved, and I'm very happy for him. He brings some strengths to the position and I think he can be a solid part of the squad.

But I would be absolutely terrified of him going up against the best left sided attackers in the world. Vini, Kvaratskhelia, Nico Williams - even the Anthony Gordon's & Luis Diaz's would terrify me. When Walker was in his prime (& even a bit past it), and we were at our best, we could rely on him to match up with that level of player. It was a big part of what made us so good. I just don't think Nunes consistently can do that, and it'll become an exploitable weakness that teams will target.

I'd be genuinely thrilled to be proven wrong. But I think not addressing the position would prove to be a costly mistake.

 

[JewelZee]

I like Nunes more than most, and have defended him on here, but I still feel like going into the season with him as our primary RB option is asking for trouble.

He can clearly play as a RB, he's improved, and I'm very happy for him. He brings some strengths to the position and I think he can be a solid part of the squad.

But I would be absolutely terrified of him going up against the best left sided attackers in the world. Vini, Kvaratskhelia, Nico Williams - even the Anthony Gordon's & Luis Diaz's would terrify me. When Walker was in his prime (& even a bit past it), and we were at our best, we could rely on him to match up with that level of player. It was a big part of what made us so good. I just don't think Nunes consistently can do that, and it'll become an exploitable weakness that teams will target.

I'd be genuinely thrilled to be proven wrong. But I think not addressing the position would prove to be a costly mistake.

If we get to the final of this club WC we may get to see how he fares against Kvara or Vini. It could be revealing...

 

[Silva2021]

Does he need to be top 5 in the world? What club has a top 5 in the world player in every single position? Real Madrid don't but are possibly the closest to having that and look what they won last season...

12 months ago, Gravenberch at liverpool wasnt a 6, he was an attacking midfielder that couldn't get a game for an average dipper side. Nobody would have said they could win a title with him as their first choice 6 yet sadly here we are with exactly that result.

There's no reason why we can't win any trophy next season with Nunes as our first choice right back.

Nunes has every single attribute pep wants, he lacks just 2 things, elite concentration levels which is coachable and something he can and will learn and experience in that position which he'll get playing.

I respectfully disagree.

Firstly, elite concentration can be coached and even if it can that it works for every player.

Secondly, of course we can win a trophy with him there.

My issue (if you like) is not about top 5 in the world, my point was more he’s probably a better CM then he is RB (not for us, just in general).

He is not good enough for us CM due to other players, but plays RB as it’s a problem position.

So I think it is the position we can and should improve.

The greatest compliment I can give Nunes is that it is a position we can improve as opposed to needing someone for it.

We could wait another season and see how he does if the right deal is not there.

But if it is we would be better for it.

 

[pee dubya]

I like Nunes more than most, and have defended him on here, but I still feel like going into the season with him as our primary RB option is asking for trouble.

He can clearly play as a RB, he's improved, and I'm very happy for him. He brings some strengths to the position and I think he can be a solid part of the squad.

But I would be absolutely terrified of him going up against the best left sided attackers in the world. Vini, Kvaratskhelia, Nico Williams - even the Anthony Gordon's & Luis Diaz's would terrify me. When Walker was in his prime (& even a bit past it), and we were at our best, we could rely on him to match up with that level of player. It was a big part of what made us so good. I just don't think Nunes consistently can do that, and it'll become an exploitable weakness that teams will target.

I'd be genuinely thrilled to be proven wrong. But I think not addressing the position would prove to be a costly mistake.

I think we have to accept that it doesn't matter who we end up with at right-back next season, they won't be able to do what peak Kyle Walker could, he was a bit of a freak in that regard. I'm not sure it's useful to compare who comes next, Nunes, Livramento or someone else to that specific skill set Walker had, because they won't meet it.

Nunes at least has recovery pace and the stamina to last 90 minutes.

 

[Dax777]

I like Nunes more than most, and have defended him on here, but I still feel like going into the season with him as our primary RB option is asking for trouble.

He can clearly play as a RB, he's improved, and I'm very happy for him. He brings some strengths to the position and I think he can be a solid part of the squad.

But I would be absolutely terrified of him going up against the best left sided attackers in the world. Vini, Kvaratskhelia, Nico Williams - even the Anthony Gordon's & Luis Diaz's would terrify me. When Walker was in his prime (& even a bit past it), and we were at our best, we could rely on him to match up with that level of player. It was a big part of what made us so good. I just don't think Nunes consistently can do that, and it'll become an exploitable weakness that teams will target.

I'd be genuinely thrilled to be proven wrong. But I think not addressing the position would prove to be a costly mistake.

Which Right back do you believe can go up against those guys and not be terrified?

Csn you nane 3-4 that aren't already at s top club?

 

[yankblue]

Which Right back do you believe can go up against those guys and not be terrified?

Csn you nane 3-4 that aren't already at s top club?

Very few, and no, but shouldn't that be the standard we aim for?

I think (or maybe worry is a better word) Nunes will be an achilles heel against top teams. Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[yankblue]

I think we have to accept that it doesn't matter who we end up with at right-back next season, they won't be able to do what peak Kyle Walker could, he was a bit of a freak in that regard. I'm not sure it's useful to compare who comes next, Nunes, Livramento or someone else to that specific skill set Walker had, because they won't meet it.

Nunes at least has recovery pace and the stamina to last 90 minutes.

Agreed on this, but I think that level is what we should strive for.

Either way, there's a sizeable gap between peak Kyler Walker and current Nunes, and I think it's possible to fill it. But I'm no scout.

 

[Bill Walker]

He’s won me over. Walker made so big fuck ups, same goes for a lot of our defenders over the years. He’s got something which you can’t teach and that’s physicality. His defending is improving and he seems like a lovely guy to have around. I still think we should buy a RB but wouldn’t be unhappy if we didn’t.

Good points mate. I'm very impressed with Nunes and how he is learning the wing back role, him and Rico I'm happy with. Especially now we have Rodri back.

 

[Dax777]

Very few, and no, but shouldn't that be the standard we aim for?

As a team, yes, but we wont have this at every individual position.

In some positions, we'd have one of the absolute best, and in others we'd have very good players that fit. Its the same for evey team.

At DM we have the absolute cream in Rodri. At AM we used to have the absolute cream in Kevin. And the same ar striker with Haaland.

Do we have the cream of wingers? Not necessarily. Doku can dribble with the best of them. Savio can cross with the best of them. But they are no Salah, Vini, Kvara or the kid at Barca. Those guys are a level above. But that's just how it goes.

We have the cream of ball playing goalies, very good CBs, very technical fullbacks, potentially cream at DM and CM ( in Rodri & Reindjers) potential cream at AM (with Foden/ Cherki) and Cream at Striker in Haaland.

Then we have a very good bench/competition.

I think (or maybe worry is a better word) Nunes will be an achilles heel against top teams. Hopefully I'm wrong.

For me the question is whether Nunes is a weakness. Not whether he is World class. My conclusion is that he is not a weakness. He might not be the cream of the position but he is in that 2nd tier of very good with some flaws.

Contrary to popular opinion, even peak Kyle Walker himself was in this tier. Very good with flaws.

 

[oldius]

Kyle Walker was an outstanding one V one defender. His physicality was exceptional and it allowed him to compete with the best left-wingers on the planet. He was also, technically, probably the weakest player in the squad. He was very one-footed and attacks could easily be stifled by pushing him onto his left. He would then run straight backwards with the ball to try to manoeuvre it for a right-footed pass backwards. A great defender, but one with flaws, as @Dax777 suggests.

Every player in the squad has flaws, but Nunes clearly has strengths - his athleticism is very obvious. His off the ball movement is very high level. He attacks the spaces very well. He can assist. He is a popular player within the squad and clearly has a robust mentality. In the last six months, he is one of the best players in the team. If he continues on this trajectory, he could easily become an extremely good full-back, and I have seen nothing in Livramento, for example, that makes me want him instead of Matheus.

 

[Haaland94]

Is there another player who will be more fun to root for next season? He’s taken savage shite from the fanbase, he’s endured a cruel public Pep quote, and he’s happily adapting to a new role with a great attitude and a smile on his face. And he saved the season with the Villa goal.

Aside from maybe Rodri regaining form, would there be a more rewarding player success story than Nunes if he can pull it off?

He has been one of our best players last season already, IMO. Getting even better now.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

The other big problem that doesn't seem to have been covered with playing Nunes at RB is this: what if Nunes, our OK-ish but not great RB is injured and our next game is against a top side, a game which we must win?

Then we're downgrading from an OK-ish to, a "maybe OK, I least I hope so" RB. This is far from ideal.

We need a top class, first-choice, starting RB - and Nunes can provide backup.

Yes it's possible that our first choice RB is injured and can't play against a top side - but we'll have Nunes as backup, at least most of the time.

The alternative - Nunes as first choice RB - and some patchwork fill-in as backup - is obviously sub-optimal.

 

[skillman]

If we were linked to him as a new signing, I’d be buzzing. He’s perfect for the new role.

Strong, fast, athletic, good on the ball and clever movement.

 

[Dax777]

If we were linked to him as a new signing, I’d be buzzing. He’s perfect for the new role.

Strong, fast, athletic, good on the ball and clever movement.

Qecare getting this guy for our RB position? Im buzzing :)

 

[WallyA]

The other big problem that doesn't seem to have been covered with playing Nunes at RB is this: what if Nunes, our OK-ish but not great RB is injured and our next game is against a top side, a game which we must win?

Then we're downgrading from an OK-ish to, a "maybe OK, I least I hope so" RB. This is far from ideal.

We need a top class, first-choice, starting RB - and Nunes can provide backup.

Yes it's possible that our first choice RB is injured and can't play against a top side - but we'll have Nunes as backup, at least most of the time.

The alternative - Nunes as first choice RB - and some patchwork fill-in as backup - is obviously sub-optimal.

Who is this available RB that is so obviously better than Nunes?

This is my problem with people arguing to find a better first choice RB, name me someone that isn't Hakimi.

I want a new RB as well for depth, but there isn't anybody "better" than Nunes available, they'd compete with him.

 

[Tevez City]

I think he is the 2nd best RB in the world after Hakimi.

 

[mexico1970]

Who is this available RB that is so obviously better than Nunes?

This is my problem with people arguing to find a better first choice RB, name me someone that isn't Hakimi.

I want a new RB as well for depth, but there isn't anybody "better" than Nunes available, they'd compete with him.

Love his effort and this I believe might be an even better than the season he had last season.