In a recent report, The Daily Telegraph mentioned that Manchester City have identified Benfica striker Darwin Nunez as Sergio Aguero’s successor. It is understood that Man City boss Pep Guardiola is looking to build for the future and is keen on recruiting the Uruguayan sensation as an ideal long-term replacement for Aguero at the Etihad Stadium (via The Daily Telegraph).
Nunez’s Impressive Rise At The Estádio Sport Lisboa e Benfica
The 21-year-old has recently tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently unavailable for selection. However, Nunez has made an eye-catching start to this campaign because he has produced several productive performances as the focal point of Jorge Jesus’ attack. The Uruguayan marksman has banged in five goals and earned six assists in 11 appearances for the Portuguese outfit in various competitions.
The Artigas-born talent has done well to average 2.7 shots, 1.4 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Liga NOS and the UEFA Europa League. He has also interchanged possession relatively well in the final third based on his pass completion rate of 81% in European football (stats via whoscored).
The four-time Uruguayan international is a player on the rise and will only get better with age. Hence, it makes sense for a top club like Man City to orchestrate a move to get him on board in the future.
What Will The South American Whizkid Add To Pep Guardiola’s Side?
Nunez has got electric pace in his locker which he can use to make some well-timed runs in the attacking third of the field. He has shown great vision and creativity to secure six assists this season and is also a decent finisher in front of the opponent’s goal.
Standing at 1.87m, the Uruguayan international can be an intimidating presence inside the opposition penalty box. However, he is yet to prove his worth at the highest level, so there are some serious concerns over whether he will be able to make a smooth transition to Premier League football if Man City can successfully bring him to the north-west of England.
Is Nunez The Right Fit For Man City?
At the moment, Nunez might struggle to get into the Man City first-team as Gabriel Jesus seems to be getting better with each game. However, if Guardiola is looking to build for the long-term, then it seems logical for them to launch a move for the Uruguayan centre-forward in the future.
Nunez looks destined to have a very bright future and could develop into a world-class striker under the watchful eyes of Guardiola. With all things considered, the Benfica youngster will be a great fit for Man City as he will add a lot of pace, creativity and goals to their frontline.
