The 2024/25 season has marked a definitive turning point in Nico O’Reilly’s career at Manchester City. The 20-year-old midfielder, long considered one of the brightest talents in City’s renowned academy, has finally made the breakthrough that many observers predicted was only a matter of time.
While O’Reilly had already experienced brief glimpses of first-team action in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup and during the Champions League group phase, it was a pivotal FA Cup fixture against Bournemouth in late March that truly transformed his season—and potentially his career trajectory at the Etihad Stadium.
Introduced from the bench with Manchester City searching for a breakthrough, manager Pep Guardiola gave O’Reilly clear tactical instructions to make penetrating runs behind Bournemouth’s defensive line. The young Englishman responded magnificently, providing both assists in a 2-1 victory that not only advanced City in the competition but also showcased O’Reilly’s football intelligence and technical capability under pressure.
What has surprised many observers, however, is where O’Reilly has found his place in Guardiola’s starting eleven. Rather than in his natural attacking midfield position, the 20-year-old has been deployed at left-back, a position that has been problematic for City throughout the season. This positional switch reflects Guardiola’s long-established willingness to reimagine players’ roles within his tactical framework.
“If I get something wrong in training positionally, Pep will stop it, go through it with me and let me know what I need to do,” O’Reilly revealed in a recent interview with Manchester City’s official website. “That has helped me a lot.”
Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has been effusive in his assessment of O’Reilly, suggesting the youngster “has everything to be a top player in the Premier League.” This sentiment appears to be shared by Manchester City supporters, who have quickly warmed to O’Reilly’s combination of technical assurance, tactical discipline, and attacking instincts from his newfound defensive position.
Mentorship Within the Squad: Gvardiol’s Influence on O’Reilly’s Development
The integration of young players into established, elite-level squads often depends not only on coaching but also on the guidance provided by experienced teammates. For O’Reilly, that mentorship has come primarily from Croatian international Joško Gvardiol, who has been a key figure for Manchester City this season following his £77.6 million transfer from RB Leipzig.
Gvardiol, who has operated at both left-back and center-back throughout the campaign, has taken a personal interest in assisting O’Reilly’s adaptation to his defensive responsibilities.
“Also speaking to the likes of Joško, who has been playing there all season, he has helped me a lot because he has been next to me every game and always talking to me,” explained O’Reilly. “I think the staff, Joško and Rúben [Dias] have helped. Rúben is a big leader in the team and he leads the back line, so I am always listening to his information.”
This transfer of knowledge from established internationals to emerging talent represents exactly the type of environment Guardiola has worked to cultivate at Manchester City—one where learning and development are continuous processes regardless of a player’s status or experience level.
“I had to get used to the defending side as well because being in the back line was not something I was used to,” O’Reilly admitted. “As it has gone on, I have learned a lot and still have got a lot to learn as well. I have enjoyed it and it’s good to have a bit of versatility.”
That versatility may prove crucial for O’Reilly’s long-term future at Manchester City, as indications from within the club suggest Guardiola sees the player’s ultimate position not at left-back or in attacking midfield, but rather as a potential successor to Rodri in the critical number six role that serves as the tactical fulcrum for City’s possession-based approach.
Guardiola’s Long-Term Vision for O’Reilly: The Rodri Succession Plan
While O’Reilly’s immediate impact has come as an unorthodox left-back, sources close to Manchester City indicate that Pep Guardiola envisions a different long-term trajectory for the English talent. The Spanish tactician reportedly sees O’Reilly as a future defensive midfielder—specifically as an eventual replacement for Rodri, who has been fundamental to City’s recent dominance of English football.
This revelation has apparently met with some resistance from O’Reilly himself, who is understood to prefer playing in more advanced positions where his creative instincts can be given greater freedom. However, the midfielder’s priority remains securing regular first-team football, and he appears willing to adapt his game to maintain his place in Guardiola’s plans.
Guardiola’s track record of positional reinvention with players provides ample precedent for such a transformation. From Javier Mascherano’s conversion from midfielder to center-back at Barcelona to Philipp Lahm’s late-career move into central midfield at Bayern Munich, and more recently Bernardo Silva’s adaptation from winger to central midfielder at City, Guardiola has consistently demonstrated a capacity to identify qualities in players that they themselves may not have recognized.
The comparison with Rodri is particularly intriguing. When the Spaniard arrived from Atlético Madrid in 2019, many observers questioned whether he possessed the attributes necessary to replace Fernandinho in City’s midfield engine room. Six years later, Rodri is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier defensive midfielders, combining positional intelligence with technical excellence and physical resilience.
If O’Reilly can make a similar transition—albeit from the opposite direction on the pitch—it would represent yet another triumph for Guardiola’s developmental philosophy.
Gvardiol: Guardiola’s Most Important Player?
While Erling Haaland has continued to dominate headlines with his goalscoring exploits this season, Pep Guardiola has made the surprising claim that Joško Gvardiol has been Manchester City’s “most important player” during the 2024/25 campaign.
The Croatian international, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2023 for a fee of £77.6 million from RB Leipzig, has demonstrated exceptional versatility by performing at a high level both as a left-back and as a center-back depending on the tactical requirements of specific fixtures.
“Joško has been so important for us this season,” Guardiola stated recently. “His capacity to adapt, to understand what we need in each moment, and his physical and technical qualities have made him indispensable.”
This assessment from Guardiola reflects not only Gvardiol’s individual excellence but also Manchester City’s challenges in defensive areas this season. The absence of a specialized left-back who fully satisfies Guardiola’s tactical demands has placed additional responsibility on Gvardiol’s shoulders, a burden he has carried impressively according to his manager.
Interestingly, former Southampton striker Liam Delap—son of former City midfielder Rory Delap and himself a product of City’s academy before moving on—has also praised Gvardiol’s impact.
“He’s such a good player,” Delap commented. “The way he reads the game, his physical qualities, and his technical ability make him truly incredible. Manchester City have a defender who can define their backline for years to come.”
Gvardiol’s influence extends beyond his individual performances to his mentorship of younger players like O’Reilly, suggesting that the Croatian has quickly established himself as a leader within the City dressing room despite being only 23 years old himself.
Manchester City’s Full-Back Conundrum: Summer Transfer Plans Taking Shape
Despite O’Reilly’s successful adaptation to the left-back position and Gvardiol’s versatility, Manchester City are reportedly prioritizing reinforcements in the full-back areas during the upcoming summer transfer window. This strategic focus reflects Guardiola’s recognition that relying on converted midfielders and center-backs in full-back positions may not be sustainable over the long term, particularly with the club competing on multiple fronts each season.
According to reports in the British media, two primary candidates have emerged on City’s left-back shortlist: Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rayan Aït-Nouri and Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso.
Aït-Nouri, 23, has developed impressively at Molineux since joining the club initially on loan from Angers in 2020. The Algerian international has combined solid defensive fundamentals with a pronounced attacking threat, contributing five goals and seven assists across 38 appearances in all competitions this season.
Valued at approximately £50 million by Wolves, Aït-Nouri’s potential transfer to Manchester City may face significant obstacles. Wolves’ head coach, Vitor Pereira, made his position clear when questioned about the player’s future:
“If you were in my position, would you want to keep him or not?” Pereira asked rhetorically during a recent press conference. “Me too. He’s a top player and we want to keep our best players.”
Pereira added: “The target is to keep our best players and to bring in not too many players because then we would have to start again. I don’t want to start again from the beginning, but some positions we need to be stronger next season.”
These comments suggest that Wolves intend to offer Aït-Nouri an improved contract to ward off interest from City and potentially other Premier League suitors. However, the financial disparity between the clubs means that a sufficiently substantial offer from City might prove difficult for Wolves to reject, regardless of Pereira’s preferences.
The second name prominently linked with Manchester City is Andrea Cambiaso, the 25-year-old Italian international currently impressing at Juventus. City reportedly showed interest in Cambiaso during the January transfer window but elected not to pursue a deal at that time.
What makes Cambiaso particularly attractive to Guardiola and City’s recruitment team is his positional flexibility—capable of playing effectively on either the left or right side of defense, he would provide solutions to multiple areas of concern within City’s squad.
Statistical comparison between the two targets reveals interesting contrasts:
| Player | Games | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrea Cambiaso | 40 | 2 | 4 | 2747 |
| Rayan Aït-Nouri | 38 | 5 | 7 | 3162 |
While Aït-Nouri has demonstrated greater end product in the final third, Cambiaso’s tactical intelligence and positional discipline align closely with Guardiola’s philosophy. Sources close to Manchester City suggest that Cambiaso has emerged as the club’s preferred option, though no formal approach has yet been made to Juventus.
Reports from the Daily Mail indicate that City may prioritize the recruitment of a right-back over a left-back, potentially addressing both positions with the versatile Cambiaso. This approach would be consistent with the club’s recent transfer strategy, which has emphasized quality and flexibility over quantity in recruitment.
City’s Right-Back Situation: An Urgent Priority
While much attention has focused on Manchester City’s left-back position, the right side of defense represents an equally pressing concern for Guardiola and the club’s recruitment team as they plan for the 2025/26 campaign.
Kyle Walker remains a formidable presence at right-back when fit, combining exceptional recovery pace with improved technical security and positional awareness. However, at 35 years old, the England international can no longer be expected to maintain the physical standards that have defined his career across a full season of competitive fixtures at the highest level.
Walker’s understudy, Rico Lewis, has shown promising development but remains a work in progress at 21 years of age. His technical quality is unquestioned, but physical matchups against powerful wingers have occasionally exposed limitations that may require time to address fully.
This situation explains why Manchester City are reportedly considering the recruitment of a new right-back as their primary defensive reinforcement this summer, with versatile options like Cambiaso particularly appealing given their ability to provide cover on both sides of defense.
Walker’s recent comments about Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White—”a fantastic talent with a bright future”—have sparked speculation that City might be monitoring the England international as a potential midfield recruitment. However, the more pressing concerns in defensive areas suggest that full-back reinforcement will take precedence in City’s summer business.
Southampton Challenge Awaits: Immediate Focus Amid Long-Term Planning
While transfer speculation inevitably surrounds a club of Manchester City’s stature, the immediate focus for Guardiola and his players remains their Premier League fixture against Southampton this weekend. With the title race entering its decisive phase, City cannot afford any slip-ups against Ralph Hasenhüttl’s relegation-threatened side.
Team selection remains a subject of intense speculation, with particular interest surrounding Erling Haaland’s availability following recent fitness concerns. The Norwegian striker has been managed carefully in recent weeks, and Guardiola faces a delicate balancing act between resting his star forward and maintaining momentum in the Premier League campaign.
Guardiola is expected to make several changes from the team that secured a narrow victory over Wolves last Friday night. Julian Alvarez could replace Haaland as the central striker, while there are also questions surrounding the midfield composition, with Kevin De Bruyne potentially dropping to the bench after an intense schedule of fixtures.
The left-back position presents an interesting dilemma for Guardiola. O’Reilly’s impressive recent performances make him difficult to drop, yet Gvardiol’s excellence in the same position earlier in the season gives the City manager a genuine selection headache. The most likely solution appears to be Gvardiol moving into central defense, with O’Reilly continuing at left-back.
Southampton legend Mick Channon, who had a brief spell at Manchester City during his playing career, offered a frank assessment of the current City team compared to his era.
“It’s a completely different club now,” Channon observed. “The professionalism, the facilities, the quality of player—everything has been transformed. What Guardiola has built there is remarkable, creating not just a team but a sustainable football philosophy that will outlast his tenure.”
The Guardiola Factor: Continued Evolution at Manchester City
As Manchester City navigate the final weeks of the 2024/25 season while simultaneously planning for the campaign ahead, the central importance of Pep Guardiola to the club’s ongoing success remains crystal clear. The Spanish tactician continues to evolve his approach, finding creative solutions to challenges both expected and unforeseen.
The emergence of Nico O’Reilly as a viable left-back option exemplifies Guardiola’s willingness to think beyond conventional positional constraints. Similarly, his long-term vision for O’Reilly as a potential successor to Rodri demonstrates the manager’s capacity to identify developmental pathways that players themselves might not have considered.
Paul Merson, former Arsenal midfielder and current pundit, offered an intriguing assessment of Manchester City’s campaign and their prospects moving forward.
“What City definitely won’t do next season is struggle in the same areas,” Merson stated confidently. “Guardiola identifies problems and fixes them—it’s what makes him special. The full-back situation has been challenging this season, but you can guarantee they’ll address it in the summer.”
This perspective aligns with Guardiola’s track record at Manchester City. Whether through tactical innovation, player development, or strategic recruitment, the Catalan coach has consistently found solutions to the challenges that inevitably arise during a season or across multiple campaigns.
The O’Reilly situation encapsulates this perfectly. Faced with limited options at left-back, Guardiola has not only found a workable short-term solution but potentially discovered a long-term answer to another positional question in the process. This capacity for creative problem-solving, combined with the club’s financial resources and increasingly productive academy, suggests that Manchester City’s period of domestic dominance may extend well beyond Guardiola’s eventual departure.
As the 2024/25 season approaches its conclusion, Manchester City find themselves in a familiar position—competing for major honors while simultaneously planning for continued success in the seasons ahead. The emergence of young talents like O’Reilly, combined with the strategic identification of potential recruits like Cambiaso, indicates that the club’s leadership remains focused on sustainable excellence rather than short-term gains.
For O’Reilly personally, the coming months represent a crucial period in his development. Having established himself in the first-team environment, the challenge now becomes maintaining his performance levels while potentially adapting to yet another positional change if Guardiola proceeds with his plan to develop the youngster as a defensive midfielder.
Whatever direction O’Reilly’s career takes from here, his breakthrough season has demonstrated both his individual quality and the effectiveness of Manchester City’s developmental pathway from academy to first team. In an era of unprecedented investment in ready-made stars, O’Reilly’s emergence offers a timely reminder that homegrown talent remains an essential component of successful squad building, even at the elite level of European football.
