“Forget the Superstars – These Two Saved Our Season!” Bernardo Silva Makes Shock Admission as Man City Prepare for Summer Shake-Up
O’Reilly and McAtee Shine Bright as Guardiola’s Trust in Academy Talent Pays Off – Bernardo Silva Predicts Big Futures
Manchester City’s journey to the 2025 FA Cup final has seen the emergence of some truly exciting young talents, with 19-year-old O’Reilly proving to be a revelation since breaking into the senior squad. His rise has been nothing short of remarkable, playing a pivotal role in City’s cup run with a series of standout performances, crucial goals, and match-defining contributions.
O’Reilly’s latest eye-catching display came in the FA Cup semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest, where he took on an unexpected role at left-back. Despite the unfamiliar position, he looked completely at ease, using his agility, composure, and skill to glide past defenders with elegance and confidence. His maturity and calmness under pressure belied his age, as he consistently made the right decisions both defensively and in the attacking phase of play.
Pep Guardiola, known for placing trust in youth when they show potential and intelligence, has been vocal in his praise of O’Reilly. The City boss commended the teenager not only for his tactical awareness and intelligent positioning but also for his physical strength and determination—qualities that have added much-needed steel to City’s back line. What makes O’Reilly even more valuable is his ability to drive forward with the ball and contribute in attack, having already found the net in recent Premier League triumphs over Crystal Palace and Everton.
But O’Reilly isn’t the only academy graduate turning heads this season. James McAtee, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder from Salford, has also made a significant impact in the second half of the campaign. After struggling to find consistent minutes in the first half of the season due to fierce competition in midfield, McAtee has made the most of his recent opportunities. His breakthrough came with a goal on his full Premier League debut during City’s 5-2 demolition of Crystal Palace, a performance that earned him a deserved starting spot the following week against Leicester City.
Speaking to ITV, City star Bernardo Silva was asked about the emergence of O’Reilly and McAtee. The Portuguese playmaker responded with confidence, revealing that he wasn’t at all surprised by their rise. “Not surprised because I’m training with them every day, so I know how good they are. It’s really difficult to break into this squad,” he said. “We’ve seen in the past with players like Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer – it’s not easy. But O’Reilly and McAtee have stepped up and delivered whenever they’ve been called upon, especially this season when the team hasn’t always hit its top level.”
While O’Reilly appears set to be rewarded with a new contract and a long-term place in Guardiola’s squad next season, McAtee’s future is less certain. The young midfielder is reportedly eager to secure regular first-team football, and interest from Bayer Leverkusen could tempt him away if assurances are not provided by City. Nonetheless, the club remains hopeful of retaining both talents as they look to build a strong core of homegrown stars moving forward.
Silva, who has also been linked with a possible move away from the Etihad this summer, ended his comments on a hopeful note: “Hopefully, they (O’Reilly and McAtee) keep developing and working hard. They’re definitely players people will be talking about a lot more in the near future—hopefully still here at Manchester City.”
The Portuguese international also took a moment to applaud the efforts of January signing Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian forward has been tasked with leading the line during Erling Haaland’s injury absence, and he has adapted quickly to life in the Premier League following his £59 million transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt. Marmoush has impressed both fans and teammates alike with his tireless work rate, selflessness, and ability to seamlessly integrate into Guardiola’s demanding system.
“Very impressed!” Silva said of Marmoush. “It’s not just about showing how good he is individually. You see the way he works for the team, the effort he puts in—he’s not here just for himself. That’s exactly the kind of player we want at this club, and we’re very happy with him.”
With a blend of emerging youth, experienced heads, and impactful new signings, Manchester City’s future continues to look incredibly bright. And if the likes of O’Reilly, McAtee, and Marmoush continue on their current trajectory, they could be central to Guardiola’s next great side.
