Man City teen Nico O’Reilly admits he ‘wasn’t expecting to play any games’ in pre-season but is now excited for the future with Pep Guardiola insisting the starlet ‘can help’ star-studded squad
Nico O’Reilly headed to America expecting to sit watching on Manchester City’s bench but is ending the trip as the breakout star of Pep Guardiola’s youthful squad.
Oscar Bobb has taken the plaudits during City’s three friendlies – two defeats and then a 2-2 draw with Barcelona – and is in line for additional game time this season.
Yet with the majority of Guardiola’s globetrotters still on holiday, O’Reilly has grabbed the chance to shine and stake a claim for a senior debut over the coming months.
The 19-year-old had shown glimpses of his ability on the first two legs of their tour, in North Carolina and New York, before excelling in a deeper central midfield position alongside Mateo Kovacic against Barca.
O’Reilly notched City’s first equaliser of the night by breaking the lines to meet Josko Gvardiol’s incisive pass as his stock continues to rise.
Nico O’Reilly has staked his claim for a place in Man City’s first-team squad after impressing
‘I wasn’t expecting to play any games to be honest, obviously the manager has trusted me and I’m just trying to do my best,’ the academy graduate said.
‘I know there’s a lot more to come from myself, to be a bit sharper on the pitch, but it will come with time and a bit of experience. Obviously I’ve never played in front of crowds like this before so that’s new to me, I can’t really hear what the coach and players are saying but I enjoy it.’
O’Reilly, who joined the club at six and captained the Under 18s to a league title two seasons ago, was invited to train with Guardiola’s group on a regular basis after recovering from a serious ankle injury sustained at the beginning of last year.
Although naturally an attacking midfielder – O’Reilly has scored 40-yard lobs in Manchester derbies and a scorpion kick – Guardiola has seen a physicality that lends itself to featuring further back. Barca was the first time he’d ever operated as part of a two in midfield.
‘I don’t mind a challenge,’ O’Reilly added. ‘Put my body in the way, I’m a big lad, I’ve got a lot of muscle to put on yet, but I enjoy it. I’m just living the dream.’
Guardiola talked up the prospect of game time for the teenager this season, which is likely to be in the cup competitions. Another impressive young midfield star Mahamadou Susoho is discussing whether to earn experience on loan. The pair will be given another opportunity when City face Chelsea in Ohio on Saturday night before flying home ahead of the Community Shield.
‘I’m pretty sure Nico can help us,’ the City boss said. ‘He can play the role of holding midfield, he can do it, if Rodri isn’t there. Of course Kalvin (Phillips) I don’t know what is going to happen, I think he knows the situation.
‘When Nico started training I said, “wow, this guy is big”. Normally all the academy players are Rico Lewis’ and Oscar Bobb’s. But this guy is good in the headers, so strong in the duels, small spaces.
‘I know he can play, of course he’s not [yet] able to sustain ideas. I’m not really concerned with that because with every game [he progresses]. But he can help us because he’s a player with a lot of quality.’
When those comments were put to O’Reilly, he said: ‘That means so much, honestly, from the best manager in the world it makes me so happy.
‘We’ve done the same system since I was a baby so I do know what I’m doing there, it’s the same philosophy from the academy to the first team. It’s just about finding the pockets and trying to play my game.’
