33 | Nico O'Reilly - 2025/26

[rodrizontal]

Well done kid. Think he deserves a break now because he's finished the last 2-3 games blowing out his arse but it's a break he's earned.

We have a must win game against Palace on Sunday

 

[youngbob]

We have a must win game against Palace on Sunday

He's 20 years old and has been very obviously struggling with muscle fatigue and cramp in the last 15-20 mins of each game he's played in recently.

 

[borassic]

Has to play in midfield eventually

 

[pee dubya]

Has to play in midfield eventually

Genuinely why?

At left-back he adds height to the side, he has space to exploit with his pace and physicality, he gets into goalscoring positions, has great delivery from out wide, his defending is improving and he can push into midfield anyway if required.

 

[mcfcpride]

Thank God we didn’t let him go to Chelsea.

 

[noseve]

there's a sardonic quiz question: who was the last actual left back to score for City? ;)

At least one of Josko's goals probably came when he was standing in at LB?

 

[Skrastins]

At least one of Josko's goals probably came when he was standing in at LB?

he meant by actual LB

Josko is a CB

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Just rock solid match in, match out.

 

[denTTony]

Excellent game yet again

 

[WallyA]

Genuinely why?

At left-back he adds height to the side, he has space to exploit with his pace and physicality, he gets into goalscoring positions, has great delivery from out wide, his defending is improving and he can push into midfield anyway if required.

Yeah I struggle with these takes tbh.

It feels like old thinking, like well he is a midfielder and is playing well at LB so he will be a future midfielder.

Like that logic doesn't really hold, but yes I can definitely see him play in midfield for sure.

But the modern game for the top teams both tactically and physically is all about how the coaches are using their fullbacks (Pep, Flick, Arteta, Kompany , Maresca)

This is where some games are being decided, how well you can use your fullbacks to frustrate the opposition by getting an extra man.

If O Reilly is as good as we all think, then LB is literally perfectly for him and Pep for tactical flexibility.

 

[Bluewonder]

Arguably the best left back in the league, which is a in incredible thing to say of a 20 year old.

 

[mdj0520]

Yeah I struggle with these takes tbh.

It feels like old thinking, like well he is a midfielder and is playing well at LB so he will be a future midfielder.

Like that logic doesn't really hold, but yes I can definitely see him play in midfield for sure.

But the modern game for the top teams both tactically and physically is all about how the coaches are using their fullbacks (Pep, Flick, Arteta, Kompany , Maresca)

This is where some games are being decided, how well you can use your fullbacks to frustrate the opposition by getting an extra man.

If O Reilly is as good as we all think, then LB is literally perfectly for him and Pep for tactical flexibility.

If we don't sign anyone in January I think the oreily in midfield conversation has merit. At the moment Nico G is on his own with a bit of help from an aging Bernardo. Rodri is unknown ATM. Reijnders looks miles off it. Kovqcic is injured and unlikely to play for us again.

We bought ait nouri for a big fee and he's played left back well enough in the league. When he's back if like to see more rotation with NIco O to get him settled and protect Nico's fitness, but if we don't sign a midfielder he might be needed there whilst RAN fills in at LB.

 

[WallyA]

If we don't sign anyone in January I think the oreily in midfield conversation has merit. At the moment Nico G is on his own with a bit of help from an aging Bernardo. Rodri is unknown ATM. Reijnders looks miles off it. Kovqcic is injured and unlikely to play for us again.

We bought ait nouri for a big fee and he's played left back well enough in the league. When he's back if like to see more rotation with NIco O to get him settled and protect Nico's fitness, but if we don't sign a midfielder he might be needed there whilst RAN fills in at LB.

That all sounds good, but here is the problem.

RAN is now gone for a month, meaning O Reilly is the only genuine LB.

Even when he comes back, as we have already seen, O Reilly has simply eclipsed RAN as a left back due to his physical profile.

I don't want to turn O Reilly into Nick GS backup if it means our LB is weaker.

The far more sensible and easy solution is to buy a LB (allow O Reilly to go middle) or buy a midfielder (keep O Reilly at LB).

I've not been too impressed by the LB options in the market whereas I've seen some good midfield options.

 

[Axel Freed]

What a find this lad is, the mental stamina needed to play two tough away games in the space of a few days isn't often found in defenders as young as him.

 

[oldius]

What a find this lad is, the mental stamina needed to play two tough away games in the space of a few days isn't often found in defenders as young as him.

Good point. When you listen to him speak, and you listen to his mum speak, it is very obvious to me that his humility will stand him in great stead. Add his technique and physicality and he could become a world-class player. As it stands, an absolutely great prospect.