Matheus Nunes, the Manchester City midfielder, feels much more settled this season and is ready to take on more responsibility—particularly in Rodri’s absence. With experience playing as a holding midfielder at Sporting, Nunes is confident he can step up.
In Manchester City‘s recent Carabao Cup clash against Watford, Nunes displayed his defensive prowess, dropping back to support Nico O’Reilly when Watford pushed forward. On top of that, he scored his first goal for City with a powerful strike in the first half. Reflecting on his contribution, Nunes was relieved to finally get off the mark.
With Rodri expected to be out for an extended period, Pep Guardiola has emphasized the need for the team to adapt and find ways to win without him. Nunes is more than willing to be part of that solution, reminding everyone of the team’s ability to thrive even without key players, as they did last season.
“At Wolves, I played more as a winger, and last year I played as a number 10 here, but when I was at Sporting, I always operated in the double pivot. So, I’m used to all these different positions now,” Nunes explained. “I always try to help the team whenever the coach puts me on the field, but the other guys are ready too, because we have so much quality.”
Acknowledging Rodri’s absence, Nunes continued, “We’re going to have to fill that gap. It’s a huge loss, but whoever steps in will perform well. We’ve proven before that if one player is out, someone else steps up, and they’re top quality.”
Reflecting on last season’s challenges, he added: “Last year, we managed to win even when Erling and Kevin were out. I believe we’ll do the same this year.”
Nunes’ first season at City wasn’t smooth sailing after his late transfer from Wolves, struggling to secure a regular spot in Guardiola’s side. While his manager admits there’s still room for improvement, the 26-year-old seems far more comfortable this season.
Nunes made a crucial assist during a match against West Ham earlier this season and earned the man-of-the-match award in the Watford game. Although his playing time ultimately rests in Guardiola’s hands, Nunes feels he’s in a much better place than he was last year.
“I’m always ready,” he emphasized. “It’s the coach’s decision, but he knows I’m ready every time he calls. I feel more comfortable now—I’ve settled in better this season because I understand the tactics and how we play. Everything is clearer to me this year.”
Reflecting on the challenges of his first season, he said, “Last year was all about learning and keeping up with the guys who have been here for years. But this season, I’m hoping for something even better.”
