On the Hunt for the Perfect Midfielder: Why Pep Guardiola is Targeting Matheus Nunes for Man City

Pep Guardiola's praise for Matheus Nunes as one of the world's finest players was made in February of the previous year following Manchester City's triumph over Sporting in the initial leg of their Champions League knockout match. Guardiola has always held a high regard for Nunes.

At the conclusion of that season, Nunes joined Wolves for a fee of £38m, showcasing flashes of the exceptional skills that Guardiola had acknowledged. His remarkable goal from a difficult angle against Chelsea in April was even shortlisted for the Premier League's goal of the season award.

However, City's fascination with Nunes is intriguing, considering that this is his sole objective in the tournament. The fact that it was a remarkable goal epitomizes his tenure at Wolves - glimpses of his potential, yet a vexing inability to fully integrate all aspects of his gameplay.

What are the chances of Guardiola achieving what Wolves couldn't? The circumstances at Molineux certainly play a role. Establishing a clear strategic approach for the player would be a good beginning, as there has been uncertainty regarding the optimal way to utilize Nunes since his arrival in England.

Bruno Lage, the initial coach at Wolves, knew about the successful partnership between Joao Palhinha and Nunes that had led Sporting to their first title win in 19 years. The strategy of pairing Nunes with a strong defensive player allowed him to advance the ball from deep positions.

However, Nunes encountered a new dynamic at Wolves, where longstanding midfield partners Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho were both playmakers. Moreover, Nunes' position was reconceptualized by caretaker manager Steve Davis after Lage's departure, which lasted only eight games.

Pushing him into a more advanced role was an effort to enhance his performance. "We experimented with him in a two," stated Davis in October. "He requires to familiarize himself with that position. He displayed a lack of structure in that position. We desire him to maintain a sense of looseness, but he thrives when placed in elevated positions."

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Nunes has been used in many different positions at Wolves so far

The issue was that Nunes' elevated starting position prevented him from having room to make runs forward, which diminished his greatest asset. He performs best when he is in possession of the ball with the game unfolding in front of him, rather than playing with his back to the goal. Davis lacked confidence in Nunes' ability to excel in that position.

Julen Lopetegui came to a similar realization, although he proposed a different solution. Nunes scored a goal against Chelsea while positioned on the right side. He began on the left and triumphed over Liverpool. Lopetegui mentioned, "He begins on the wing, but is then able to transition into midfield. He is making an effort to adapt."

Starting under Gary O'Neil, his fourth manager at Wolves, Nunes embarked on the season playing a hybrid role on the left. He made a strong impression with a notable performance against Manchester United and, despite being sent off towards the end of the game, he showcased his skills against Brighton as well.

Nunes possesses unique qualities that set him apart from his peers. His standout attribute lies in his ability to carry the ball, particularly in central areas. In fact, he ranks among the top midfielders in the Premier League, having completed 19 ball carries in the first two games. This feat places him in an elite group of just five players who have carried the ball over 500 metres during the current season.

The numbers are comparable to those of City midfielders Rodri and Mateo Kovacic. However, while those two players frequently navigate into open areas, Nunes is skillfully maneuvering through opposition players. He has undertaken more dribbles than any other player in the Premier League this season.

Nunes stands out for his exceptional footwork as an upright player, effortlessly maneuvering between opponents. Davis praises his remarkable ability to dribble with precision and unmatched speed, surpassing his own pace without the ball. Often, he effortlessly bypasses two or more defenders in a single run.

This extraordinary skill is further emphasized by a specific metric. Nunes has successfully executed six multiple take-ons this season, double the number of any other player in the Premier League, except for Julio Enciso who has attempted it four times. This remarkable feat has greatly contributed to advancing his team's position on the field.

While Wolves found some utility in their record signing, they expected more. Lopetegui expressed the need for him to enhance his finishing skills. Despite his successful strike against Chelsea, scoring just one goal out of an expected-goals tally of 2.5 falls short. Moreover, Nunes has only managed to provide one assist.

An uninspiring comeback for one club might not pose a concern for his next venture. Guardiola may have faith in Nunes's potential to enhance those statistics. What matters most, though, is his perspective that this is not the foremost priority for his Manchester City squad.

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There is no issue with their scoring ability. Furthermore, their creativity is not lacking in any way. In fact, if Nunes can retrieve the ball from his own half and swiftly advance with it before making an effortless pass to a nearby teammate near the rival team's penalty area, it proves to be beneficial.

"Matheus possesses immense talent," Davis remarked, emphasizing the need to identify his optimal role within the team. Naturally, Nunes' positioning plays a significant role in this equation. A potential transfer to Man City could shed light on the influence of his surrounding teammates.