Manchester City could look for a young right-back given how good Matheus Nunes has become in the role | OneFootball

Manchester City appears to be in the market for a right-back this summer. Matheus Nunes has made the role his own this season, but City seems to be a right-back short in their squad. They appear to need cover for Matheus Nunes. Nunes has become one of the top right-backs in the Premier League this season. Given the rise of Matheus Nunes, perhaps City could decide to look for a young right-back with room to develop to provide cover and competition for Matheus Nunes. If that is a path that City goes down, there are two right-backs that stand out as potential transfer targets.

Matheus Nunes showed how important he is to Manchester City in their win over Arsenal.

Throughout this season, Matheus Nunes has risen in prominence for Pep Guardiola’s side. The Portuguese international has made the right-back position his own. Matheus Nunes has cut out the errors that used to inhibit his play and now he is one of the most consistent performers for Manchester City. Nunes is good in possession, and in defensively he is more than solid. His pace and strength in a challenge is also a key aspect of Manchester City’s play. All of this stood out in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal.

Matheus Nunes was solid at the back at Wembley. In truth, Arsenal didn’t offer much of an attacking threat at Wembley. In possession and going forward, Matheus Nunes was exceptional against Mikel Arteta’s side. His ability to take up dangerous positions when City attacked constantly kept the Arsenal defence on their toes. Nunes got his reward when he set up Nico O’Reilly’s second goal at Wembley with an inch-perfect cross. Nunes delayed his cross until the right moment, which made Nico O’Reilly’s job that much easier.

All told, the performance of Matheus Nunes against Arsenal was the perfect encapsulation of him as a player. Nunes was very good over the full 90 minutes and his overall performance showed just how good a player he has now become.

Two young right-backs appear to be the ideal players for City to target.

With Matheus Nunes firmly established as Manchester City’s first-choice right-back, City do not need to find an expensive first-choice player for this role this summer. Instead, they could decide to target a young right-back who can provide cover and competition to Matheus Nunes.

Two right-backs immediately come to mind on this front. They are AS Roma’s Brazilian right-back Wesley and Brentford right-back Michael Kayode. Wesley is an attacking force from right-back. He is a throw back to Brazilian full-backs from years gone by. Graeme Bailey has previously reported for TeamTalk that City are among are a host of teams that have monitored Wesley’s progress at Roma. In terms of providing competition for Matheus Nunes, Wesley could do that and potentially more. At 22 years of age, Wesley’s talent is clear and he has the potential to become an elite full-back.

Brentford right-back Michael Kayode is another player that Manchester City have kept an eye on. Fraser Fletcher has reported TeamTalk that City are also keeping an eye on the Italian full-back. Kayode is 21 years of age and is a Premier League proven player. He has the necessary physical attributes and skill set to become a City player. In terms of a player who could also slot into Pep Guardiola’s squad, Kayode, like Wesley, could be ideal for this City squad.

Final thoughts.

Matheus Nunes has made the right-back position at Manchester City his own this season. That has been one of the more pleasing developments of this season for City. The development of Nunes may see City target a younger right-back this summer to provide cover for Nunes. If that is a path that City decide to pursue, Wesley and Michael Kayode appear to be the ideal players to fill that particular role in Pep Guardiola’s squad.