Sheikh Scouts: Matheus Nunes

We’re back with the latest edition of #SheikhScouts for Man City International. With only a few days left in the transfer window and a flurry of rumors floating around City’s transfer activity, we’ve decided to focus on Wolves’ Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes, who has reportedly agreed personal terms with City already, with a first offer going in only a few minutes ago (reported by Fabrizio Romano). The 24-year old (soon to be 25 on August 27th) broke out onto the scene via his play at Sporting CP, winning a Portuguese title and back-to-back league cups in 2021 and 2022, while being part of the squad that won a double in 2021. His excellent performances lead to him being named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year in 2022 and that summer, Nunes signed with Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers for a club-record transfer worth nearly £40 million. In this scouting report, we’ll focus on the positives before touching upon some of the areas of concern.

Your quintessential central midfielder, Nunes is capable of playing pretty much anywhere in midfield, although his strengths lie in his ability to play as a box-to-box, all-action threat. Similar to Mateo Kovačić in some regards, Nunes’ LOVES to dribble and he does it at an elite level. His preferred position is as a left-sided central midfielder (although he is right-footed). Think of him as a good fit as a “Mezzala,” a wide central-midfield player in a trio or diamond, playing outside and ahead of a single, deeper midfielder, although he has experience playing at a high level in a double pivot with former teammate João Palhinha (Fulham). He knows how to play fast while controlling the middle of the pitch and it comes naturally to him. 

Composed under pressure, press resistance is one of his biggest strengths and that combined with his solid tacking technique bode well for his fit in City’s midfield, as well as his tenacity in wanting to win the ball back quickly. Nunes plays with great intensity, presses relentlessly, and seems to possess the “Bernardo stamina,” rarely giving up on the play. When the ball is on the ground, Nunes is alert and it’s fair to assume that he’ll always be buzzing around it. He is an active scanner, constantly keeping his head on a swivel, especially when he faces goal, to stay aware of his positioning as well as that of his teammates. He is a consistent and willing passing outlet for his teammates, especially in the build-up phase, and his impressive positional awareness allows him to serve as an outlet for the ball against high-pressing opponents. His passing range is underrated, as well as the types of passes he’s able to play. Whether he is looking to switch the play or try and break lines with penetrative passes, he’s capable of both. I feel this is where he is different from Kovacic as the ability to make and execute several different types of passes makes Nunes highly effective in many aspects of attacking play.   

In terms of his pure athleticism, Nunes lacks top end speed but has an abundance of quickness and change-of-direction pace. Not fast, but very quick, enabling him to wiggle out of tight spaces and breeze past opponents at will. These attributes are crucial to his effectiveness in the press and in his press-resistance. His shielding of the ball is excellent, using his lower body strength and hip mobility to pivot and stand firm against challenges. But what I love the most about all of his positives is his willingness/insistence on communicating. By all accounts, Nunes is the on-field vocal leader. A player who isn’t afraid to bark at his teammates, instructing them where to go and ensuring everyone is in the right position. City have made a point of signing mentality monsters who lead by example (Rodri, Haaland, Dias, Gvardiol) and Nunes appears to fit the mold. 

But as I mentioned before, there is plenty of room for him to improve. Fortunately, I feel many of his “weaknesses” can be addressed working with a manager like Pep Guardiola, who seems to have a knack for working with and improving midfielders, specifically in the areas about to be mentioned. Nunes’s technical abilities are sound but raw, often attempting to do too much instead of applying the simplest solution available. For example, despite his excellent awareness, his poor body positioning will lead to a heavy first touch, when merely changing the angle of his receiving foot would mitigate the issue. His insistence on dribbling puts him in positions where he doesn’t have to be, leading to a low quality pass attempt, miscontrol, and at times, dispossession. Essentially, he needs to learn to do less and play the simple game more often. In that sense, his supreme trust in his elite dribbling abilities can be a liability. 

While he’s capable of completing every type of pass needed, his consistency can improve and that ties directly in with his decision-making. Matter of fact, most of his areas of improvement can be tied to his decision-making, which should improve with proper coaching and discipline. When the passing clicks, it’s sublime. When it doesn’t, it leaves you wondering if he was even thinking before executing. Playing next to high quality peers in a midfield drilled to perfection will certainly enable him to think less and execute more, ensuring that “bad decisions” are lessened and hopefully taken completely out of the equation. He needs to learn how and when to choose the quick/simple pass instead of the elaborate one, even if he can do both. This is the biggest challenge for him at City. 

In terms of his physical attributes, Nunes is solidly built but still has some room to fill out his frame. His physical strength, or lack thereof, is noticeable at times in his playstyle. Despite being aggressive and willing in the press, he isn’t the best at winning duels, specifically in the air. Basically, he needs to hit the gym. In duels or challenges, decision-making comes into play once again here. He is excellent at reading the situation but often attempts options with significant risk. This must be addressed and coached alongside a strict fitness regimen to ensure he is fit and firing at the maximum of his physical capabilities. 

There is plenty to like about Nunes. He does everything a central midfielder is supposed to do and does it quite well.. but he is far from a finished product. For those concerned that he “isn’t good enough,” it’s worth noting that his potential alone was drawing attention from massive clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona. The quality and potential he possesses make him a great fit for a dependable, dynamic midfield option. 

Written by: SHEIKH