75 | Nico O'Reilly - 2024/25

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Why not start him then ?

Ask Pep

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

The premier league is becoming more physical these days and Nico is well suited to that.
McAtee on the other hand has had numerous chances in the team but is easily pushed off the ball. Seems passive.

Oh come on! Why have a go at Mcatee in this thread. A player who again plays once every 8 weeks or so.

Mcatee who’s scored and effected quite a few games btw

 

[It'sBlue93:20]

Honestly I don’t know why we haven’t seen him
sooner. He’s literally everything we’ve been crying out for in midfielder- maybe a little rough around the edges but he would have helped hugely. Same with McAtee i feel they’ve both looked really good in the cameos.

The academy needs to be trusted a bit more imo. NOR for sure has to be integrated I could see him being used in the way that Lewis-Skelly is for Arsenal for the time being.

 

[Stoned Rose]

Did well. Played like he meant it and wanted it.

Cracking cross for Haaland’s goal. Really well timed and weighted.

A kid, so people need to calm down about him imo.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Honestly I don’t know why we haven’t seen him
sooner. He’s literally everything we’ve been crying out for in midfielder- maybe a little tough around the edges but he would have helped hugely. Same with McAtee i feel they’ve both looked really good in the cameos.

Especially this season. It's a write-off anyway, so we might as well have a look at some kids.

 

[silvathechihuahua]

He’s got good attributes this lad he’s tall and quick, hopefully we’ll see him start on Wednesday!

 

[east2]

He’s got good attributes this lad he’s tall and quick, hopefully we’ll see him start on Wednesday!

Needs a bit of throw in practice! Nearly kicked himself up the arse with one of them today…;-)

 

[alib]

magnificent today

 

[blueparrot]

Especially this season. It's a write-off anyway, so we might as well have a look at some kids.

No its not, still a lot to play for.

 

[svennis pennis]

Can you imagine him at 21, 22

I can. Probably playing for Dortmund and being valued at £120 million.

 

[foden47]

If Pep doesn't start him next game at LB, he needs to see a doctor.

Definitely must start against Leicester. Move Khusanov to RB, have Dias and Gvardiol at centre half with Nico at LB.

 

[Goldust]

Team has been crying out for what he has athleticism !

 

[iTyler]

Both him and McAtee should have been given much more game time this season. They both have energy and legs (not without quality) which is what we have really been lacking.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Especially this season. It's a write-off anyway, so we might as well have a look at some kids.

“Write-off”???
We need CL football next season, otherwise we lose €50-100M that could be used towards the team and have to sell even more Academy and peripheral talent!

He is being used well. He is gaining experience and was able to inject much needed energy into the second half, which might not have been present for 90 minutes.

We have to understand that the team is full of world class players and you have to be something pretty special to get a sniff at the starting XI.

He played very well in a cameo where he was given the freedom of the left wing. That’s a different proposition to playing in the tight confines of the midfield for 90 minutes and looking nearly as good.

This was an excellent, confidence-inspiring half of football and I hope it helps him understand the levels he can, and must, reach to get a starting position in this team and constantly be front of the Manager’s mind when looking for solutions.

“Well played, son!” is the correct sentiment to today’s performance and let’s hope it helps him grow.

 

[sh249]

I hope for his sake, not for the long term. We need to stop turning midfielders into full backs at some point.

Would be nice for him to get a run in midfield. But it’s not going to happen, certainly not any time soon. Left back seems, fairly obviously, his route into the team. His advantage is that he can, as he‘s shown, play the role a couple of ways - either wider and more attacking, or coming inside into the midfield.
As for turning midfielders into full backs, can‘t say I‘m particularly arsed. It‘s worked fine for us. All just a question of set-up and style.

 

[SomeMightSay]

I hope for his sake, not for the long term. We need to stop turning midfielders into full backs at some point.

and, full backs into midfielders.

 

[oldius]

I have said it before, in this thread, but I did read that Pep believes that Nico is destined to play in the CDM role, but that Nico believes that he isn't ready. Based on that, it isn't as clear cut as Pep turning midfielders into full-backs, but if that was the case, nobody could argue that Nico looks a great prospect in that position.

 

[cyan]

He seems perfect for the way Pep uses fullbacks -and with his pace that wide role seems perfect for him. I don't really see him in the centre (or not yet anyway) He doesn't seem to have that 360 degree vision required for the role or the ability to overcome a press. But it should come with experience and the inverted role would help to learn alongside others. Really hope he gets the chance for an extended role in the team.

 

[Jocks Y-Fronts]

Unlike a lot of his team mates, he spoke well at the after match interview, answering clearly and concisely. Some other players - loads of them - mumble, look at the ground, wipe their nose etc - but Nico was very good.

 

[freshie]

The boy has everything, pace, power, technique, height, physicality