“You have to Improve or you will never start for City again”- Pep Guardiola tells £53m Star to Improve or he will not start for City again
Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes, according to Pep Guardiola, has to improve one aspect of his game.
The Spaniard missed City’s past two Premier League games while recovering from back surgery.
With the 52-year-old back in his customary role, the City manager has spoken out on one player who is set to make his debut for the club this weekend.
Speaking at City’s most recent press conference ahead of their upcoming Premier League encounter against West Ham United.
“With his physicality, we can play in the holding-midfielder, attacking-midfielder, and full-back positions,” he remarked.
“He needs to work on his first contact and first touch.” Try to play the ball like Kevin [De Bruyne], who is unrivaled. His energy, the balls he’s had in the last few games as a winger. Quality is really tough to come by. Dribble for 10, 15, or 20 meters.
“He will learn to be more precise in simple things as we train him.” He possesses skills that a manager cannot improve, which is critical.”
The triple champions signed Nunes from Wolves in a £53 million move near the end of the last summer transfer season.
After being an unused replacement in City’s 5-1 triumph over Fulham earlier this month, the 25-year-old might make his City debut in tomorrow’s match at the London Stadium.
In terms of needing to improve his first touch, the midfielder miscontrolled the ball 41 times in his previous Premier League season with Wolves, trailing only three other Midlands club players.
In fact, only two City players mishandled the ball more times in the Premier League last season than Nunes.
Moving forward, if the Portuguese international can improve this aspect of his game, he’ll be given the opportunity to play and demonstrate what he’s capable of and why the club was right to recruit him in the first place.