Considering Manchester City are aiming to win silverware on multiple fronts season after season, it is inevitable that several of their players can be expected to be left out of the side.
During the 2023/2024 campaign, Jack Grealish, who had come off a brilliant season became a bit-part player as Pep Guardiola seemingly preferred both Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden as his left-wing options; two players were more in-form and injury-free than the former Aston Villa maverick.
Similarly, during the 2021/2022 season, the Manchester City boss favoured Aymeric Laporte over John Stones in the centre of defence — despite the Englishman being one of their best players during the previous campaign.
Both Grealish and Stones would likely have been automatic starters at most other clubs during the seasons where they were not regular starters at the Etihad Stadium.
But such is the ruthless nature of playing for the Sky Blues that Pep Guardiola has to make such big decisions.
This summer, a certain City player has to make a massive call about his future as well.
- Man City summer transfer window 2024: Confirmed signings, departures, loan exits and releases
Matheus Nunes should be open to Atletico Madrid loan move
The player in question is Matheus Nunes, who has made one appearance off the bench in Manchester City’s first two games this season.
On Monday, it was reported that Atletico Madrid are targeting Nunes’ signature on loan for a single season.
However, it has been claimed that Nunes’ focus is staying at City.
But the £54 million man should be looking to head to Diego Simeone’s side on a season-long loan.
The Spanish giants remain one of the biggest clubs in the world and after a summer of signing the likes of Julian Alvarez, Conor Gallagher, Alexander Sorloth, Robin Le Normand, Juan Musso as well as Clement Lenglet on loan, they could have an outside chance of winning both La Liga and the Champions League.
Furthermore, the opportunity of honing his craft under Simeone’s guidance is an attractive proposition for a majority of players in the world.
The Argentine, alongside Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti to name a few is one of the standout managers in European football.
Most importantly, at Manchester City, it seems highly unlikely that the 26-year-old will become a starter anytime soon.
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Matheus Nunes seems unlikely to start for Man City this season
In central midfield, if the likes of Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic did not provide the Portuguese international sufficiently difficult competition, Ilkay Gundogan’s arrival has made his task even harder.
Joao Palhinha hailed Nunes as “tremendous” and while he has exhibited flashes of brilliance in a City shirt, it is becoming increasingly difficult to earmark the position he could make his own at the club.
While the former Wolves midfielder has an engine on him and the required physicality to win duels, the question is whether Pep Guardiola feels he can dictate a game quite like Rodri, Kovacic or Gundogan as a number six.
In the attacking midfield positions, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden have a case for being two of the Premier League’s best players while Gundogan has also previously thrived in an advanced role for Manchester City.
Out wide, where Nunes started against AFC Bournemouth in a 1-0 win for City last season, the club have the likes of Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Grealish as natural wingers on their books, as well as Foden and Bernardo.
At Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, Rodrigo De Paul, Gallagher, Koke and youngster Pablo Barrios do not provide the ex-Sporting CP dribbler with as much competition for a start.
As a result, it would be advisable for Nunes to look elsewhere to revitalise his career.
Otherwise, it could be possible that the Premier League champion is considered surplus to requirements at Manchester City at the end of the season while Atletico Madrid decide to sign alternatives in the middle of the park during the following summer.
