Pep Guardiola has revealed what Manchester City midfielder-turned-defender Matheus Nunes must do to become “one of the best” after adapting impressively to a new position within the team.
The Portuguese international, who joined City from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2023 for £53 million, initially struggled to find his place in a side brimming with midfield talent.
Yet, a series of injuries and tactical adjustments have opened an unexpected pathway for him, with Guardiola now deploying Matheus Nunes as a right-back — a move that appears to be paying off.
Last season, the 27-year-old was experimented with in that role during the latter stages of the campaign when injuries disrupted City’s usual defensive setup. Though his performances were mixed at the time, Guardiola saw potential in his energy and ball-carrying ability. Fast-forward a few months, and the City boss’ faith is beginning to bear fruit.
After starting this season on the bench, Nunes was recalled following an injury to Abdukodir Khusanov in September. Since returning to the starting XI, he has looked increasingly confident, with his latest display against Villarreal particularly catching the eye.
With Khusanov still recovering, Nunes appears to have made the right-back position his own — and his manager believes he could be on course for something special.
Guardiola’s vision for Nunes as a right-back
Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, Guardiola said Nunes needs to be focused to become one of the best players in the world.
“He can be an incredible right-back,” the City manager said according to metro sport. “Matheus is a holding midfielder with incredible physicality, and as much as he is focused, he can become one of the best [right-backs].”
Guardiola explained that using Matheus Nunes as a right back was as much a mental challenge as a tactical one, urging Nunes to fully embrace his new responsibilities.
“It’s a question of him now as we talk a lot about that. It’s just change your mind and feel that [you can be there],” Guardiola added. “He has special attributions to play in the sides, and in the last two or three games he has played unbelievable.”
Those words underline Guardiola’s reputation for reinventing players. From John Stones stepping into midfield to Fabian Delph’s surprising conversion to full-back during City’s 2017–18 title-winning season, the Catalan has long been known for tactical experimentation. Nunes’ evolution now appears to be the latest chapter in that trend.
For Guardiola, the combination of Nunes’ physical prowess and technical quality could make him one of the most dynamic full-backs in the Premier League — if he continues to develop the positional discipline required for the role.
Tough test ahead for Manchester City at Villa Park this weekend
Despite City’s confidence in Nunes’ rise, Guardiola knows that his side faces a serious challenge at Villa Park, where they have lost on their last two visits.
The champions currently trail league leaders Arsenal by three points, and the Spanish coach is fully aware of the threat posed by Unai Emery’s well-drilled Aston Villa side.
“They were much better than us the last two fixtures we played at Villa Park. Hopefully it will be different on Sunday,” Guardiola admitted. “The admiration I have for Unai is so high. He’s incredibly consistent, well prepared and so smart.”
The City boss praised Emery’s tactical organisation and the progress Villa have made under his leadership, describing them as one of the toughest opponents in English football.
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“At Aston Villa I know they are not in the Champions League this season for one point,” he said. “Last season for me they were Champions League [quality], they created a lot of problems for the champions PSG.”
Guardiola noted Villa’s defensive structure, set-piece efficiency, and intelligent build-up play as major strengths, while also highlighting their speed and aggression in transition.
“They are well organised, quality, one of the toughest away games we have in the season. Defensively they are really good, from set pieces also and I have the feeling he improved a lot in terms of the build up,” he continued.
“With the keeper they have it is so difficult to control the pressing and they bring a lot of players in the middle.”
