Matheus Nunes’ shift from midfield to right back for Manchester City has sparked plenty of discussion, with former City defender Micah Richards offering his take on the Portuguese star’s adaptation to the new role. Speaking on The Rest is Football, Richards provided a balanced assessment of Nunes’ progress, acknowledging both his growth and the challenges inherent in playing out of position in Pep Guardiola’s intricate system.
Nunes' impressive skillset
“I think Nunes improved massively into the season. I think if you ask a midfielder to play right back, obviously, that’s not his strength. I think he improved defensively,” Richards said. Nunes, known for his ball-carrying ability and dynamism, has had to recalibrate his skill set to meet the demands of a position that requires a different mindset and tactical awareness.
However, Richards was quick to contextualize Nunes’ transition within the broader evolution of the right back role in modern football. “But I think when you’re in that position, and I think when you look at the top right backs in world football, football’s changed a little bit. We talk about Trent so much, don’t we? And we talk about Hakimi,” he noted.
Matheus Nunes vs Juventus
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Areas for concern
Richards pointed out the challenges Nunes faces when defending in high-stakes situations. “But back when we were defending, our first thought was to stop the cross, or do a tackle, or get in his head, make sure the first tackle, he really feels you. Football’s not like that right now. And for Man City’s system, it works, and he’s done all right,” Richards explained.
He acknowledges that while Nunes has adapted admirably to City’s possession-based style, the traditional defensive instincts of a right back—stopping crosses and dominating one-on-one duels—are not his natural forte. “But when you come up against better players who can hurt you in one-on-one situations, that’s when it becomes a problem,” Richards added, pinpointing the potential vulnerability when Nunes faces elite wingers who thrive in direct confrontations.
