NICO O’REILLY did not expect to play a minute when he was selected in Manchester City’s squad for their four match pre-season tour of the USA in July.
But three weeks later he had scored against Barcelona in Orlando – and also had a Community Shield winner’s medal in his pocket after holding his own against five-time Champions League winner Casemiro against rivals Manchester United at Wembley.
He was denied a deadline day move to Chelsea, as City feared another ‘Cole Palmer’ situation and one of their academy lads starring in West London.
HOW DO THEY PLAY AND WHO DO THEY REMIND YOU OF?
Well, anyone who follows City’s youngsters should forget what they thought they knew about O’Reilly – because Guardiola has other ideas.
The boss announced in the States – to the surprise of everyone – that O’Reilly, 19, could be a deputy for Rodri as a holding midfielder.
Praise doesn’t come much higher than that at City.
However it raised some eyebrows as he has generally played further forward – even as a No10 or a false nine – while coming through the academy system at City.
But maybe his versatility is what appeals to the Etihad boss, who does like a midfielder who can fill a variety of positions
After a spell on the sidelines with injury last season, the England Under-20 star returned to training and Guardiola was shocked by how much he had grown.
The hope at City is he can use that physicality and grow into the role that Rodri plays so effectively as he reads the game particularly well.
He also showed that he is much more than just a stopper with his superbly taken goal against Barcelona in Orlando.
That was more like the O’Reilly they knew at the City Football Academy – where he had a reputation for scoring eye-catching goals.
He netted his first for the senior side in the 8-0 FA Cup demolition of Salford.
His Under-21 coaches say he would be capable of doing a variety of different jobs for Pep and that he has all the attributes to be a top player.
TELL US ABOUT THEIR RISE
He’s been playing for his boyhood club City since the Under nines and has come through in the same cohort as Rico Lewis.
He made the bench for Pep Guardiola’s first team at Brighton in spring 2023 but then a serious ankle injury stopped his progress.
However he has picked up where he left off. At City they still talk about a scorpion kick he scored against Middlesbrough for the youth team and a 40-yard lob against United in the junior derby.
WHAT ARE THE EXPERTS SAYING?
Ben Wilkinson is now boss of City’s EDS but has seen O’Reilly come through the ranks. He said: “Historically, he’s played as a No8 – or a No10 in the academy.
“But his ceiling is very high – and he’s got more attributes than people give him credit for. His technical level is very high. Hopefully he can put his physicality into his game because he’s got a lot of things you need to be a top midfielder.
“His performances were one of the highlights of the tour so hopefully Pep has learned if he needs to use him then he can.
He’s a guy who will be a player
Guardiola on O'Reilly
Guardiola himself said: “He’s a guy who will be a player. He was injured for a long time last season.
“He came back in the middle of the season, trained with us and I said ‘Wow. This guy is big.”
He’s about 6ft 2in and has a presence about him.
WHAT DOES THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HOLD?
Guardiola insisted he would be part of the first team squad this season and he has played a couple of times despite the return of Ilkay Gundogan making an already congested scrap for midfield places even more crowded.
O’Reilly has started in the Carabao Cup against Watford and Tottenham – and made his Champions League bow against Sparta Prague before netting in the FA Cup against Salford.
He will hope there is more to come, especially after the move to London was rejected.
MORE BOY WONDERS
HERE are some more in our Boy Wonders series
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