Manchester City’s midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne has completed a £100m transfer to one of the world’s top clubs!

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“Manchester City’s midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne has completed a £100m transfer to one of the world’s top clubs!”

adminBy adminApril 2, 2025No Comments3 Mins Read

Manchester City’s recent victory over Bournemouth in the quarter-finals has prompted many to revisit their initial doubts about Pep Guardiola’s tactical decisions. One of the most captivating aspects of the match was Matheus Nunes’ performance, which has sparked a reevaluation of his role within the squad. The Portuguese midfielder, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £53 million, has faced challenges in securing a consistent spot either in central midfield or on the wing. Consequently, Guardiola has experimented by placing him in the unusual position of right-back.

This tactical shift has generated both curiosity and skepticism, as Nunes lacks significant experience in that role. His defensive weaknesses were especially evident during the Bournemouth match, where two costly mistakes on his part handed the opposition a lead. His first error was a basic one: instead of making a safer pass along the touchline or back to his goalkeeper, he opted for a risky pass into the crowded midfield. This misstep played directly into Bournemouth’s hands, enabling them to launch a fast and efficient counterattack.

Nunes’ second significant error was just as critical. He failed to track the run of Justin Kluivert at the far post, allowing the Dutch winger to slip in unnoticed and finish a well-placed cross from David Brooks. These defensive lapses underscored his unfamiliarity with the right-back role and raised legitimate concerns about his suitability for the position.

While Guardiola has openly admitted that Nunes is not a natural right-back, he has also praised the player for his physical attributes and attacking contributions. The Brazilian-born midfielder has considerable pace and has shown the ability to provide width and support in offensive areas. His willingness to adapt and embrace the challenges of a new role has also been noted. However, despite these positives, his defensive shortcomings remain a major concern, leaving doubts about whether he can make a successful transition into a reliable right-back.

Ultimately, the question remains whether Nunes can improve his defensive awareness and positional discipline to become a viable long-term option for this role. Guardiola’s tactical brilliance is well-known, and he has a history of successfully reshaping players for unfamiliar positions. However, for Nunes to excel in this experiment, he will need to address his defensive vulnerabilities and improve his overall positional understanding. Until that happens, doubts about his suitability for the right-back role are likely to continue, and Guardiola may need to reconsider whether this positional change is a sustainable long-term solution for both Nunes and the team.