Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hailed Matheus Nunes as an exceptional player.
The midfielder has made a real impression in the last week.
Nunes made his debut for City against West Ham United as a substitute.
But he was then handed his first start in the Champions League against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.
And it was a really solid display from Nunes in midfield, and he was then rewarded with a first Premier League start for the club on Saturday against Nottingham Forest.
Nunes caught the eye again, putting in a peach of a cross for Erling Haaland to score City’s second goal.
Speaking after the game, Pep praised Nunes – but went back on something he said about the star in 2022…
Pep Guardiola hails ‘exceptional’ Nunes, but players down 2022 remark
Guardiola has always been big fan of Nunes.
In 2022, after City had thrashed Sporting CP in a Champions League game, he described Nunes as one of the best players in world football at the time.
Pep was asked about this comment after the win over Forest.
And the Spaniard was keen to actually play it down.
He said (via Beanyman Sports): “Really good. Sometimes I say stay more calm in the position. He looks like he’s never tired because of his actions are 15/20 metres, but we knew it from Sporting Lisbon. He’s done it as well at Wolves.
“The last two games played against Red Star and today was a key point – really really important.
“Maybe I overjudged a bit (calling him one of the best players in the world). He’s not. He’s a really good player. Maybe I said this comment after we won by five? But he’s an exceptional player.”
Pep comment will actually benefit Nunes
Nunes is a wonderful player.
In a way though, it’s kind of good thing that Pep has said this about not being one of the best in the world.
He has said it in a nice way, that Nunes will probably appreciate.
Ultimately, he is still a young player and his game needs refining.
But there is no reason why he can’t become one of the world’s best in a couple of years.
He is extremely unique, it’s just about getting that consistency for the Portuguese.
