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Pep Guardiola says Matheus Nunes has a ‘quality that is so difficult to find’
Matheus Nunes was just signed by Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola believes he has a quality that is “difficult to find” and can play in a variety of positions.
Nunes, who cost City £53 million ($67 million) in the summer transfer window from Wolves, has not yet played for the English and European champions. The Portuguese international, according to Guardiola, has a lot of room for improvement, but he will be an asset because of his versatility.
“He can play in holding midfield, he can play in attacking midfield, with time he could play at full-back with his physicality,” he told reporters. “I think he has to improve in the first contact and decisions with one touch. I think it’s not precise enough. Try with the ball like Kevin. His energy, The quality is so difficult to find. He will learn to be more precise in simple things.“
He added: “At Wolves he played the last games as a winger, so he can play in multiple positions. That quality is so difficult to find, to that he is able to dribble through players and go 10, 15, 20 metres with the ball. In time he will learn to be more precise in the simple things, the first touch and first pass. With the way we’re training and dynamic that we have, he will get it.”
The 25-year-old moved to the Etihad after just one complete season at Wolves, where he made 41 appearances across all competitions and scored one goal.
He faces stiff competition for a berth in City’s starting lineup from players like Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Mateo Kovacic, who are vying for positions in central midfield.
When City plays West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, the newly signed player will be hoping to make his league debut.