So often in football injuries present opportunities for forgotten players to make their mark. One such opportunity may be on offer for forgotten Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes. Rodri’s serious knee injury means there is an opening in City’s midfield. Now it may be the time for Matheus Nunes to finally step up when his team needs him most.
So far during his City career, Matheus Nunes has primarily been a fringe player. The vast majority of his minutes have come off the bench or in less important matches. That speaks to the strength of City’s squad more than any failings of Nunes. Players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan are often Pep Guardiola’s preferred options in midfield. But now circumstances have changed due to Rodri’s injury. Pep Guardiola will be forced to rely on his squad to cover the loss of Rodri for the foreseeable future. That may see the forgotten City midfielder get his chance to thrive.
Matheus Nunes can play as a number 6. He has played the role for Wolves and Sporting Lisbon during his career. Nunes should have no issue playing deep in midfield for the world champions. He wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement for Rodri, that player doesn’t exist. But he would bring his own attributes to the role. Although, Nunes would have to curtail his attacking attributes to play the role. That appears to be an obvious change to make for Nunes. But his game does appear suited to stepping into the heart of City’s midfield in Rodri’s absence.
The knee injury to Rodri is a blow for Manchester City. But his misfortune may open the door for Matheus Nunes to make his mark. He has always appeared to need an opportunity to step up for City and it appears that the opportunity he has required has arrived. It will now be on him to seize it when he is called upon.
