75 | Nico O'Reilly - 2024/25

[Saddleworth2]

His movement is so intelligent for the goal, he walked into the penalty area during the build up and as soon as the ball moved to the right with Bernie/Nunes he engaged the CB at the far post. Marmoush was in a traditional no 9 position at that time. When Nunes overlapped and crossed, Marmoush was static but O'Reilly made the run from far to near post to meet the cross early. He finished like a natural goalscorer. Who knows what the lads ceiling is but that was seriously impressive.

 

[OntarioBlue]

Just pondering this. Nico is clearly a tremendous talent and a great prospect. But, as Pep says, he’s not a left back. So, here’s my question. If he reverts to being an attacking midfielder and we have Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Foden, Kovacic, Gundo and maybe Wirtz (or any of the other midfielders we are being linked with) available does he get in the team ?

 

[doobyedoobye]

Can't see Kova or Gundo standing in his way for much longer

 

[.db.]

Did very well with the ball at his feet but his positioning isn’t good defensively and teams keep trying to attack his side. Thankfully he’s fast as fuck and strong for a 20 year old so gets out of many situations.

I’d love to see him in midfield. He could easily have done what the other Nico did yesterday.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

For as long as I can remember, City have been vulnerable to the long diagonal ball behind our Left Back.

However that's more to do with Pep's set-up and preferred style of play than a reflection on any individual, so whether it's O'Reilly, Gvardiol, or Ake looking isolated and outnumbered, there will always be somebody scapegoated for an opposition counter attack

The big difference here is whereas the others are natural defenders, O'Reilly looks more like a genuine 10 goals per season midfielder with headers, volleys and anticipation for near post chances, all in his locker

 

[urban genie]

Just pondering this. Nico is clearly a tremendous talent and a great prospect. But, as Pep says, he’s not a left back. So, here’s my question. If he reverts to being an attacking midfielder and we have Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Foden, Kovacic, Gundo and maybe Wirtz (or any of the other midfielders we are being linked with) available does he get in the team ?

yes he can do

 

[RodneyRodney]

Just pondering this. Nico is clearly a tremendous talent and a great prospect. But, as Pep says, he’s not a left back. So, here’s my question. If he reverts to being an attacking midfielder and we have Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Foden, Kovacic, Gundo and maybe Wirtz (or any of the other midfielders we are being linked with) available does he get in the team ?

Yes

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Did very well with the ball at his feet but his positioning isn’t good defensively and teams keep trying to attack his side. Thankfully he’s fast as fuck and strong for a 20 year old so gets out of many situations.

I’d love to see him in midfield. He could easily have done what the other Nico did yesterday.

He looks potentially as good as Foden. He could save us a fortune. Alongside Rodri in midfield he could be fantastic. Fingers crossed.

 

[It could have been 10]

I've got a feeling that when he does move into midfield, after a few years experience playing in that position, he will be doing the things that Declan Rice does for Arsenal, only better.

 

[franksinatra]

Fantastic start to his City career. Played completely out of position, adapted, and prospered.

Think that is 5 goals in 14 games and I think 2 assists. When you consider some of our more experienced players are failing to assist and score and this lad is doing it from an unfamiliar position and with very little experience shows what a cracking start he has made.

I do think it’s going to be tough for him to forge a career in centre mid for us, so hopefully he can keep learning and developing in his current role.

 

[oldius]

For as long as I can remember, City have been vulnerable to the long diagonal ball behind our Left Back.

However that's more to do with Pep's set-up and preferred style of play than a reflection on any individual, so whether it's O'Reilly, Gvardiol, or Ake looking isolated and outnumbered, there will always be somebody scapegoated for an opposition counter attack

The big difference here is whereas the others are natural defenders, O'Reilly looks more like a genuine 10 goals per season midfielder with headers, volleys and anticipation for near post chances, all in his locker

Retaining possession of the ball becomes the best defence because of this. Fortunately, O'Reilly also has pace in his locker, and physicality, so he has a head start on the Delphs and Zins of this world. As always, if you have defenders like him in your side, you need physically capable defenders and midfields who can cover for his forays into the attacking areas.

 

[foden47]

Playing out of position but has done well. I don't think he would of expected to play as much as he has at the beginning of the season. He has goals in him. He has shown he can fill in at full back. Pep can trust him out of position which for a young player must be the biggest compliment. I wonder with Akanji back do we get him back in and out Gvariol back to left back. Could we see him getting a chance in midfield before the end of the season. His added legs in midfield will help. Some selection headaches for Pep long term. For Nico his way into the team is staying at left back and hope Gvariols form at centre back keeps him there too.

Would prefer Akanji moving to LB and Nico into midfield. Gvardiol is playing to well at CH for him to be moved back to LB.

 

[Bill Walker]

I do think it’s going to be tough for him to forge a career in centre mid for us, so hopefully he can keep learning and developing in his current role.

When you think about it he's only in the team because of injuries to our CBs.

We could've let him go.

 

[christened at st marks]

Well worth sharing again

 

[jollylescott]

Nico is one of the most versatile players I've seen playing for City.

He's being nurtured as a left back, but his natural position is attacking midfielder (this was evident when he cleverly found space for the Everton goal). In my opinion, as he continues to develop, he could also potentially play as a number six, number 8, or even as a central defender. I say this because he's only just turned 20 and his big frame is still filling out.

It's a huge relief that we didn't cash in and sell him to Chelsea. That would have been an absolute disaster. Now we have retained one of the best young talents I've seen with City.

 

[Dialog]

 

[bluenova]

For as long as I can remember, City have been vulnerable to the long diagonal ball behind our Left Back.

However that's more to do with Pep's set-up and preferred style of play than a reflection on any individual, so whether it's O'Reilly, Gvardiol, or Ake looking isolated and outnumbered, there will always be somebody scapegoated for an opposition counter attack

The big difference here is whereas the others are natural defenders, O'Reilly looks more like a genuine 10 goals per season midfielder with headers, volleys and anticipation for near post chances, all in his locker

You get the same with Rico on the right - his positioning is as a number 10 half the time, so there's no way he's going to be in a position to cover right back on a break.

Pep's system relies on the ball not getting past the half way line, and if it does, the centre backs have to cover. They're not going to be able to do that every time, and it's a fine line between success and failure, but it's worked enough for us to win a sack full of trophies. One of the main struggles this year has been the CBs playing through injury - neither Ake or Akanji had their usual recovery pace, and it was easy to cut through.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

You get the same with Rico on the right - his positioning is as a number 10 half the time, so there's no way he's going to be in a position to cover right back on a break.

Pep's system relies on the ball not getting past the half way line, and if it does, the centre backs have to cover. They're not going to be able to do that every time, and it's a fine line between success and failure, but it's worked enough for us to win a sack full of trophies. One of the main struggles this year has been the CBs playing through injury - neither Ake or Akanji had their usual recovery pace, and it was easy to cut through.

Oh yeah, I'm not disagreeing or disputing the success of our tactics, and going all the way back to the 1-1 v Everton at the start of 17-18 (when their goal came from a diagonal ball behind our left back) it's never really impacted our ability to still be Champions, regardless of who plays there.

I just feel that given his eye for a goal (and his finish at Everton was Haalandesque) O'Reilly might be wasted in that position

 

[urban genie]

Fantastic start to his City career. Played completely out of position, adapted, and prospered.

Think that is 5 goals in 14 games and I think 2 assists. When you consider some of our more experienced players are failing to assist and score and this lad is doing it from an unfamiliar position and with very little experience shows what a cracking start he has made.

I do think it’s going to be tough for him to forge a career in centre mid for us, so hopefully he can keep learning and developing in his current role.

It will only be tough if we do stupid shit like spunking 90M on gibbs-white rather than pushing the lad in his normal position, so stifling Nico progress.

rodri
foden
gonzo
orielly
gundogan
kev replacement
bernie replacement ???
kova

He can really cement himself as first choice inside left if we don't decide to buy someome ahead of him

 

[bluenova]

Oh yeah, I'm not disagreeing or disputing the success of our tactics, and going all the way back to the 1-1 v Everton at the start of 17-18 (when their goal came from a diagonal ball behind our left back) it's never really impacted our ability to still be Champions, regardless of who plays there.

I just feel that given his eye for a goal (and his finish at Everton was Haalandesque) O'Reilly might be wasted in that position

I was agreeing with you about the tactics :)

Not sure how true it is, but I read that Pep wants to use him as a holding midfield (partly because of his height), so they're happy to use him as left back, where he can learn more of the defensive skills.