Utility man has become a key cog for Guardiola’s title chasers and wants more glory in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final
C
ity Football Academy, Friday 10 January 2025: Nico O’Reilly’s career is about to rocket into orbit because, during Manchester City’s final training session before their FA Cup third-round tie with Salford, Pep Guardiola has unexpected news.
“He said: ‘Right, you’re playing at left-back tomorrow,’” says O’Reilly, who had never been used in the position. It was only his fourth first-team appearance but just over a year later he has played twice at left-back for England and is preparing for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
“I did well, gradually, and started playing there more,” O’Reilly says of becoming a defender. “I was happy with it. I didn’t mind it, enjoyed it – it was a good challenge. Then this season I started to go back into midfield a bit.”
