Manchester City have many talented players – and Joao Palhinha is a rather big fan of the club’s £53 million signing.
Several City players are on duty with Portugal at the moment, as they prepare for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
Not many people have been speaking about Portugal as potential winners, but they will certainly head to the finals in Germany in good form. Since Roberto Martinez took over as manager, the Selecao have won 12 of their last 13 games.
Their latest victory came against Finland on Tuesday night, and they now have two more friendlies before flying out to Germany.
One man who did not feature against Finland but was on the bench was Matheus Nunes – a player Joao Palhinha rates very highly…
Joao Palhinha says Manchester City star Matheus Nunes has ‘tremendous quality’
Nunes was initially not called up to the Portugal squad by Martinez.
But on Monday, it was announced that he had flown out to join the team, after Otavio had to pull out with an injury, which he picked up in Al Nassr’s final game.
Some felt Nunes should have been selected anyway. But others could understand his initial snub, given he didn’t really pull up trees in his first season with Manchester City following his £53 million move from Wolves.
But he’s with the team now, and Fulham midfielder Palhinha is pleased to be joined by him. He said (as quoted by A Bola): “It’s tough for a player (Otavio) to suffer an injury at the last minute and whoever comes, which is Matheus, knows this space well and knows us.
“He is a player with tremendous quality and, although a player with a lot of quality leaves, which is Otávio, another one with a lot of quality comes in. So, we’re sorry to lose Otávio, but I have no doubt that Matheus has as much value as him to be here like him.”
Nunes has 12 caps for Portugal, with his last coming in March against Sweden.
A big opportunity for Nunes
It didn’t really happen for Nunes in 2023/24 in his first season with City. He showed glimpses of his ability, but we did not really see it on a consistent basis.
It was difficult for him, because there are so many quality players back at the Etihad and it’s hard to force your way into the team and stay there.
He will want to improve for next season – if he stays – and a good Euros could be just what he needs to start 2024/25 in the right way.
He is going to have to give Martinez a reason to turn to him in Germany, because he’s just come into the squad having initially be overlooked. And he then needs to make the most of any opportunities he gets.
Hopefully, he will see some decent minutes though. At the end of the day, there are very few midfielders in the world like Nunes with the way he carries the ball, and it would be great if he could find some form, first for his country and then for his club.