Man City Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has left Manchester City this evening to join one of the biggest clubs in world football! For £100m

Manchester City’s recent quarter-final triumph over Bournemouth has left some pondering the wisdom of their initial doubts about manager Pep Guardiola’s tactical acumen. Specifically, the performance of Matheus Nunes has raised eyebrows, sparking a reevaluation of his role within the team. The £53m signing from Wolves has struggled to find his footing in central midfield and on the wing, prompting Guardiola to experiment with him in the unorthodox position of right-back.

This decision has been met with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism, as Nunes’ lack of experience in the right-back position has been glaringly apparent. Against Bournemouth, his defensive vulnerabilities were exposed in stark relief, as he committed two critical errors that handed the opposition the lead. The first mistake was a elementary one, as Nunes eschewed the safer options of playing the ball down the line or back to his goalkeeper, instead opting to pass the ball into the treacherous terrain of the middle of the pitch.

This ill-advised decision played directly into the hands of a high-pressing Bournemouth side, who were able to capitalize on Nunes’ mistake and launch a swift counterattack. The second error was equally culpable, as Nunes failed to take note of Justin Kluivert’s run behind him at the back post, allowing the Dutch winger to ghost in and provide the finishing touch to David Brooks’ excellent delivery. These mistakes served as a stark reminder of Nunes’ inexperience in the right-back position and raised questions about his suitability for the role.

Guardiola has acknowledged that Nunes is not a natural right-back, but has praised his pace and offensive contributions. The Brazilian’s ability to provide width and support to his teammates has been a notable asset, and his willingness to learn and adapt to the demands of the right-back position has been commendable. Nevertheless, Nunes’ defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern, and it remains to be seen whether he can overcome these limitations and establish himself as a reliable option at right-back.