Matheus Nunes has quietly become one of the Premier League’s best full-backs – this stat proves it
Matheus Nunes never looked like having much of a future at Man City, but Pep Guardiola has worked wonders with the former Wolves man.
This is not to say that Man City fans haven’t criticised Nunes this season. Let’s face it – we all have. But when it comes to consistency, there are very few in the squad who come close to him.
He already has 32 appearances across all competitions this season, starting 21 of City’s 26 Premier League games to date, holding his own against Abdukodir Khusanov and Rico Lewis.
Right-back has been a problem position for Guardiola, ever since Kyle Walker’s departure and the failure to replace Joao Cancelo, and rumours are still linking the club with a move for Tino Livramento.
Matheus Nunes is outperforming several Premier League stars
Once the summer transfer window rolls around, it would not be a huge surprise to see City linked with a plethora of full-backs. Until then, Guardiola has an incredible option at his disposal.
During his first season at the Etihad Stadium, Nunes couldn’t even get into the lineup, starting just nine league matches, and playing anywhere from defensive midfield to right wing.
Nobody at the Etihad ever thought that he would transition to a right-back role, but having started seven consecutive games between rests in the FA Cup, he has quietly become crucial to Guardiola’s system.
In fact, according to WhoScored, Nunes is the second-highest-ranked full-back in the Premier League this season, only second to Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz, with an average rating of 7.04.
Not even Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber matches up to the Man City man
When the Citizens have struggled so much defensively, to still have a higher rating than someone like Jurrien Timber, who is a key part of the table-topping Arsenal side currently, is very impressive.
Even Nico O’Reilly, who has drifted into midfield in recent weeks, can get nowhere near the Portuguese star in terms of ratings, only proving Guardiola’s genius when it comes to player management.
Although Nico Gonzalez had a slow start in England, he has, arguably, become more important than Rodri, who, just two years ago, was celebrating beating Vinicius Junior to the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Nobody expected Nunes to turn his career around at Man City following his first few months at the club. But now, it is difficult to see a lineup without him in it.