Everton host Manchester City on Monday, and Matheus Nunes will be an intriguing watch after the Toffees previously showed interest in signing him.
David Moyes is looking to get things back on track after a few disappointing results.
But games don’t come much tougher than Manchester City, who are looking to keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the league.
Let us know your predictions ahead of Monday’s huge match on Merseyside! 😬
Recent history does not bode well for Everton… 🫣
David Moyes, head coach of Everton, prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse
Pep Guardiola has given his players extra time off ahead of the game, which is an interesting call. Either that will really pay off, or it will backfire in a big way.
Everton will hope it’s the latter, as they seek to get their European pursuit back on track.
One interesting battle will be Iliman Ndiaye going up against Matheus Nunes, presuming Moyes keeps Dwight McNeil on the right wing.
Nunes has been a major positive for City, and it’s interesting to reflect back on Everton’s past interest in the player.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Everton wanted Matheus Nunes – and they likely wish they had him now
Matheus Nunes playing for Manchester City.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
In the summer of 2021, it was reported by the Daily Mail that Everton had held talks with Sporting CP to sign Nunes, who was also attracting attention from Newcastle United at the time.
Sporting were said to be ‘willing to accept a loan deal with obligation to make the move permanent for around £20 million’.
In the end, it was actually Wolves who snapped up Nunes one year after the claims of interest from Everton, with the Old Gold paying a total figure of just over £42 million.
He had a disappointing season at Molineux before joining Manchester City for around £53 million (via BBC Sport).
What would your message to Moyes be now Beto is back fit for City?
Credit; Getty Images/Molly Darlington
After taking a season to adapt, Nunes has really started to shine at City after being moved to right-back by Guardiola, who now believes he’s one of the world’s best in that position.
He said of the Portugal international (at his press conference post-Southampton): “Matheus Nunes is becoming one of the best right-backs in the world. Defensively, holding the line, arriving at the byline.”
The irony here is that Everton are crying out for a new right-back and have been for some time. It’s thought right-back will be one of three priority positions for the Toffees going into the next window.
Obviously Nunes came to English football as a midfielder and has only recently converted to right-back.
But he’s done brilliantly there and has showcased solid defending while also offering himself as an outlet. He has an impressive nine assists so far this term.
It’s a shame that Everton never landed him and that there was never a chance of him becoming the player we see now in a Toffees shirt.
Matheus Nunes admitted Everton wanted him
Nunes did actually admit that Everton were in the picture to sign him.
He said in 2022 (via Liverpool Echo): “To be honest the only thing that came to me was Everton’s interest but nothing happened as I was on vacation.
Matheus Nunes playing for Sporting.
Photo by Paulo Nascimento/NurPhoto via Getty Images
“And my agent knows I don’t want to have that kind of distraction while I’m relaxed and recovering.
“There was talk of Everton, but in the meantime I came back and nothing else happened.”
Hopefully this summer, Everton can sign a right-back who has similar qualities to Nunes that will help him thrive in the Premier League.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox