‘Not What He Signed Up For!’ – Nico O’Reilly Unhappy with Guardiola’s Surprise Decision to Recast Him in a Defensive Role at Manchester City!
Nico O’Reilly is quickly becoming a household name among Manchester City supporters, with the 20-year-old’s meteoric rise through the ranks turning heads across English football. The young midfielder has grabbed the spotlight with a string of impressive performances that suggest he may be one of the next big stars to emerge from Pep Guardiola’s ever-evolving squad.
O’Reilly first captured attention on a grand scale during City’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Bournemouth at the end of March. Coming off the bench, he turned the game on its head by providing two crucial assists, propelling City into the semi-finals where they are set to face Nottingham Forest at Wembley this weekend. Since that standout cameo, O’Reilly has continued to build momentum, earning increasing minutes and impressing with each appearance.
In fact, the 20-year-old has featured in Manchester City’s last five Premier League fixtures, where he has not only held his own but actively contributed with two goals. His consistent performances have played a key role in helping Guardiola’s men solidify their position in the top four and stay on course for Champions League qualification.
O’Reilly’s emergence has drawn comparisons to other young Premier League talents, such as Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, with fans and pundits alike recognizing his versatility and impact. His rapid development has thrilled the City fanbase, who are eager to see how far he can go under Guardiola’s guidance. The Spanish manager, known for his tactical ingenuity and ability to mould players into world-class assets, reportedly already has a long-term vision for O’Reilly — and it’s an ambitious one.
Although naturally an attacking midfielder, O’Reilly has been deployed at left-back in recent matches — a tactical switch that has not only showcased his adaptability but has also had the knock-on effect of bringing the best out of Josko Gvardiol in defence. Interestingly, Guardiola’s ultimate plan for O’Reilly may not involve either of those positions. According to a report by Sam Lee of The Athletic, Guardiola envisions the English youngster eventually transitioning into a defensive midfield role — a potential long-term replacement for Rodri.
Football pundit Tim Sherwood recently stated that O’Reilly possesses “all of the ingredients” necessary to become a star, a sentiment echoed by many who have watched him in recent weeks. Guardiola appears convinced that the player’s height, composure, and physicality make him an ideal candidate for the holding midfield role — despite O’Reilly’s own apparent preference for more advanced duties on the pitch.
“O’Reilly doesn’t seem fully sold on the idea of playing as a number six,” Lee reported. “It’s understandable — his movement and decision-making in the final third are top-class, and he thrives when given the freedom to drive forward and influence attacks.” The left-back role, though unfamiliar, at least allows him to make late runs and get involved higher up the pitch. Shifting to a deeper role, where he would focus on dictating tempo, disrupting opposition play, and shielding the backline, is a different kind of challenge — one that may take time for the 20-year-old to embrace.
Regardless of his future role, O’Reilly’s present contributions have already been significant. He has played in all four of City’s FA Cup matches so far this season, scoring three goals and setting up two more — an outstanding record for a player still finding his best position in the side. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and he is widely expected to start once again — likely at left-back — in the semi-final showdown against Nottingham Forest at Wembley.
Speaking to ManCity.com ahead of the highly anticipated clash, O’Reilly shared his excitement and determination. “It would be an amazing feeling to go to Wembley in a big game,” he said. “We know how good Forest are and I’m excited for it. You just have to take every game as it comes. Right now, our focus is solely on this match — and we’ll see where it takes us.”
He also acknowledged the challenge that awaits against Forest: “They’re a very strong team — fast, creative players, and solid defensively. It’s going to be a tough game, but that’s what you expect at this stage of the competition.”
For O’Reilly, this is just the beginning. Whether he evolves into a creative midfield maestro, a tactical full-back, or a composed defensive anchor, one thing is clear — under Pep Guardiola’s watchful eye, the future looks incredibly bright for Manchester City’s latest wonderkid.
