PEP GUARDIOLA got it wrong by dismissing Matheus Nunes as too dim to play in midfield.
So says the coach who put Manchester City’s goalscoring hero on the road to stardom from humble beginnings back home in Portugal.
Rui Costa nurtured Nunes at minnows Estoril Praia and reckons Pep is missing the point with the player who boosted City’s Champions League hopes with his late winning strike against Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Costa told SunSport: “When Guardiola signed Matheus Nunes from Wolves and when he played him and praised him, it was always as a talented midfielder and never as a defender.
“I characterise him as a physically strong player, a box-to-box player, with very high levels of quality and passing accuracy.
“He’s a midfielder who can score and helps his teams a lot defensively.
“Adapted to right-back, in my way of seeing the game, he fulfils but it’s not his natural habitat.
“He might be lacking a bit of confidence after the coach’s statements about him.
“He’s a clever player. He’s quick to think, move and execute.”
City chief Guardiola claimed earlier this month that Nunes is better suited to defence where he does not have to think so much and can just use his strength.
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Pep insisted: “He’s not a player to play in the middle because he’s not clever enough, in composure.”
Nunes was played out of position again in the 2-1 Etihad win over Villa.
Yet he still swept home the 94th-minute clincher that fired City into third as they mount an end-of-season fightback after a disappointing year.
Costa hailed the 16-cap Portugal international as a “warrior” who will never shirk a scrap — but he also needs a manager who backs him.
Nunes, 26, even went on strike at Wolves to show his commitment to joining City for £53million in September 2023.
Costa added: “He’ll develop into a right-back because Guardiola is a coach who will help him.
“But he needs to feel more confident before he can develop.
“He’s a player any manager would like to have.
“He’s humble, a real warrior, very hard-working and never turns his back on a battle.
“Whatever position, he’ll continue to shine. I wish him all the best.”
