27 | Matheus Nunes - 2025/26

Georgian said:
Pep talked about Matheus being used as holding midfielder more in future recently.

I think after he resurrected his career at City and delivered stable results as a RB, now he is ready to return in midfield and become one of the best midfielders in football..

During his first season he was always loosing physical duels, slipping a lot, didn't know system and teammates that much and etc. But now he is one of the senior members of the squad, has experience, has regained confidence, knows system well, so why not ?

Especially when futures of Rodri and Kovacic aren't certain and Bernardo has already left.
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I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see Nunes in a midfield 2 as well, physically he has always been suited to it.

And mentally I think he matured his game as well.

I have this theory in a back 4 that Maresca will prefer Guehi there anyways to tuck into a back 3, leaving Nunes as a rotation option at RB and midfield.
 
Georgian said:
Pep talked about Matheus being used as holding midfielder more in future recently.
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If he (or O’Reilly) could master the ‘full-back into No. 6’ role, that would stand us in good stead:

——-Khusanov—Dias—Gvardiol——-
———-——-Nunes—-Rodri——

+ 4 x attacking / creative players behind Haaland.
 
ninjamonkey said:
What is more remarkable is that there are still city fans that claim he needs replacing.
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I was a former critic of Nunes but I'm really happy for him transforming himself into a solid and reliable right back. And I don't think he needs replacing by anyone because he has continued to improve and impress.
 
Maresca often plays with a 451 that becomes a 3241 with one for he full backs becoming the holding midfielder and one moving into a back 3 akin to what Pep did 22/23 season

Nunes and NOR are natural midfielders so it seems both would be a good fit for Maresca although not sure how it works with both selected
 
Sibierskii said:
Shame he wasn’t nominated for player of the season. His mentality is top.
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I'll say it again. Not the best player in the squad (obviously). But, over the last sixteen months, hands down, the most improved player. Think of how he was having to be bailed out by a very young Khusa (even younger!) last season.
It's not very clear to me why everybody just seems to be saying that we have a right-back problem, and we need to buy. We have a right-back back-up problem, that's for sure, and if the assumption's about that, it's correct.
I don't really see him as a very skilled midfielder, honestly. He's not bad. But laser balls through the middle to unlock packed defences and set Erling free? Losing Bernardo; have lost Kev and Gundo; may lose Rodri. (Losing the midfield skills of John Stones too, although he's barely figured on the pitch, in truth). We need a higher level than his to kick on in that area.
 
Lovebitesandeveryfing said:
I'll say it again. Not the best player in the squad (obviously). But, over the last sixteen months, hands down, the most improved player. Think of how he was having to be bailed out by a very young Khusa (even younger!) last season.
It's not very clear to me why everybody just seems to be saying that we have a right-back problem, and we need to buy. We have a right-back back-up problem, that's for sure, and if the assumption's about that, it's correct.
I don't really see him as a very skilled midfielder, honestly. He's not bad. But laser balls through the middle to unlock packed defences and set Erling free? Losing Bernardo; have lost Kev and Gundo; may lose Rodri. (Losing the midfield skills of John Stones too, although he's barely figured on the pitch, in truth). We need a higher level than his to kick on in that area.
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Good post.

I think Nunes has surprised most blues how he's adapted to RB and is increasingly looking more accomplished each game there. He's versatile too and could play RW or inside right, and he did well on LW when called upon.

I doubted he'd make it with us in any position with us. I doubted Rodri too early days. I very much doubt Savinho. Let's hope he's given another season to prove his doubters wrong. If not sell him next summer.
 
Sibierskii said:
Shame he wasn’t nominated for player of the season. His mentality is top.
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Just looking at the various “teams of the season” on various sites and Nunes is the RB in the Opta Stats team of the season. Apparently no other full-back has successfully carried the ball further than him this season. And some of the other stats are staggering - e.g. most passes in oppositions half.

From what I’ve seen, admittedly on TV, he has been magnificent and hopefully he’ll stay in the team for whoever manages next season.
 
in the first half of the season, Pep played with so called "Christmas Tree" system, with fullbacks going forward and NicoG staying back with Ruben and Gvardiol..

----------------Donarumma----------------------
Matheus----Ruben-------Gvardi--------Oreilly
-----Bernardo------Nico---------Foden---------
---------Cherki------------------Doku-------------
--------------------Haaaland-----------------------

In the second half we moved to 3-4-3 system, which we used in 22/23 and 23/24 seasons and last season as well

-----------------Donarumma------------------------
-------Matheus---Khusanov----Guehi-------------
---------------Rodri--------Bernie-------------------
Semenyo----Cherki-------Oreilly-----------Doku
---------------------Haaland-------------------------

so basically we swapped Foden for Semenyo and Matheus moved back, when in the first half of the season, he was
occupying RWB position more and joining attacks, crossing, etc.

Even though we won more important matches in the second half, I still think the system used in the first half is the future as it suits are players better.

Cherki and Doku have ability to play centrally more.
We use pace of Matheus and Oreilly and Ait-Nouri

Reijnders also flourished in this system, if you remember the period when Doku got injured and Pep started playing Reijnders. Espacially West Hame game at home or the goal he scored against Chelsea..

I think Tijani still has a future here..
 
Would you agree he is an underrated player?

Midfielder at Wolves & Portugal.
Get’s put at right back for us and doesn’t kick up a fuss.

I can think of one error (Rags at home) but everyone makes mistakes

In my honest opinion he deserves a lot more applause than he gets for the last 3yrs

Ps i grew up with Richard Edgehill on the back of my shirt
 
Man-chester copperpot said:
Would you agree he is an underrated player?

Midfielder at Wolves & Portugal.
Get’s put at right back for us and doesn’t kick up a fuss.

I can think of one error (Rags at home) but everyone makes mistakes

In my honest opinion he deserves a lot more applause than he gets for the last 3yrs

Ps i grew up with Richard Edgehill who is my hero
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Could do with his own thread in Player Performances...oh hang on...
 
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