- Matheus Nunes is set to maintain his position as Manchester City’s primary right-back option going forward.
- The club’s recruitment department has initiated a search to acquire a specialised, youthful defensive profile to ease the strain on the Portuguese international.
- Incoming manager Enzo Maresca has prioritised depth over an overhaul as he shapes his blueprint at the Etihad Stadium.
Matheus Nunes’ future as Manchester City’s first-choice right-back appears to be safe, despite interest from the club in recruiting within the role this summer.
Amid his pending arrival at the Etihad Stadium on an expected three-year contract, incoming manager Enzo Maresca is believed to have already been working alongside Sporting Director Hugo Viana to audit the first-team squad.
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While City concluded their recent campaign by lifting an impressive FA Cup and Carabao Cup double, planning for the heavy transition of legacy assets like Bernardo Silva and John Stones has naturally forced the incoming staff to fortify specific positions.
Matheus Nunes’ remarkable adaptation into a right-back over the last 12 months proved to be one of the final masterstrokes of the Pep Guardiola era, providing the team with physical dynamism and control, as well as reliability.
Manchester City’s summer right-back plans revealed
Now, according to BBC Sport’s Shamoon Hafez, Manchester City are still looking to sign a right-back this summer, albeit to supplement Matheus Nunes.
It is suggested that the profile of player being sought out by those within the club is a young full-back and one who is a natural in that position, as well as a player that can grow into the role in future.
The right-back search in detail
By focusing exclusively on a younger prospect, Manchester City are aiming to replicate the developmental pathways that other players like Nico O’Reilly has experienced.
This recruitment strategy ensures that the club avoids paying premium fees for established European stars, while simultaneously injecting the type of hunger required to keep the dressing room sharp and competitive.
Enzo Maresca will likely be eager to have his squad finalised before jetting off for pre-season in Far-East Asia, although the scheduling of the FIFA World Cup in North America could prove problematic in terms of players reporting for duty.