75 | Nico O'Reilly - 2024/25

[pbueno16]

Have you seen much of him in his natural position?

Not since preseason which isn't a great example, but he looked good in midfield then.

 

[MCFC1993]

He's the one young lad I really want us to give a chance to.

Different to the rest of the young lads, has the technical ability but also the physicality to match.

 

[jimharri]

I know its a throwaway tweet and not aimed at you jim, but makes me laugh when these knobs Include the likes of Saka, when he hasn't even played in 2025.

It's like saying Mubama is a better player than Rodri as he scored against Salford.

Eh? Mubama is better than Rodri.

 

[bluesmith]

Eh? Mubama is better than Rodri.

Comparing O’Reilly with Saka who hasn't played in the period of comparison, is like comparing Mubama with Rodri who also hasn't played in the period for comparison either.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Buzzing for him, deserves that after putting in shifts out of position.

Still don't really see the benefit to playing him left back, just doesnt look a natural fit there to me. He's got the physical attributes to be handy for us in midfield but left back is clearly what Pep see's so he's going to have to adapt and be the best left back he can. Doing himself no harm.

 

[Bluewonder]

He looks more like he simply belongs than any other youth academy product of the era. And I include Foden in that.

He's a prodigious talent.

 

[Paul1970]

Should have been playing more games this season tbh but now he can show what he has .

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Buzzing for him, deserves that after putting in shifts out of position.

Still don't really see the benefit to playing him left back, just doesnt look a natural fit there to me. He's got the physical attributes to be handy for us in midfield but left back is clearly what Pep see's so he's going to have to adapt and be the best left back he can. Doing himself no harm.

Phil started at left back too if you remember.

I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes our left back and Gvardiol is moved into the left wing/ midfield (Grealish role).

Kinda foresee Gvardiol and Nico playing together.

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Get him centre mid with Gonzales

 

[WallyA]

Phil started at left back too if you remember.

I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes our left back and Gvardiol is moved into the left wing/ midfield (Grealish role).

Kinda foresee Gvardiol and Nico playing together.

Phil didnt start at left back, what the hell are you talking about.

Maybe Pep put him there for a single game, but he very quickly played higher.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Phil didnt start at left back, what the hell are you talking about.

Maybe Pep put him there for a single game, but he very quickly played higher.

Think his CL debut was at Shakhtar at left back.

Not sure he ever played there again!

 

[WallyA]

I think next season Pep will likely see O Reilly in the old Gundogan role.

Defend next to the 6, but when we push up, he can go up too and find spaces to take shots.

Prime Gundogan got so many goals because the 9 and 10 were heavily marked, O Reilly is such a good finisher, and bonus, really good in the air. He could also easily be Haalands backup to get him more minutes.

I know he plays LB well too, but personally, Im thinking we buy an actual LB to rotate for Gvardiol and let O Reilly be a backup 8/9.

Probably being a backup LB/8/9 is too many spots for him to fill.

 

[Dax777]

Phil started at left back too if you remember.

I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes our left back and Gvardiol is moved into the left wing/ midfield (Grealish role).

Kinda foresee Gvardiol and Nico playing together.

Nah! Gvardiol cant play Left-wing. That nullifies sll his strengths and highlights his weakness.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Top man

 

[doobyedoobye]

It remains concerning that players of his quality seem to have one eye looking out of the club at times..

 

[jimharri]

It remains concerning that players of his quality seem to have one eye looking out of the club at times..

Okay. Two things....
1. I would hope that any player, who feels he warrants more game time, wouldn't be happy to just sit back and sit on the bench at the club, and pick up his paycheque. And....

2. Has he actually made noises re maybe looking elsewhere to continue his career? If he has, I've missed it.

 

[julio jordio]

Does anyone know where he’s from? I know he played for junior sides in Moston and Failsworth and on the city podcast nedum asks him if he’s a north manchester lad and he says yes. Just wondering if anyone knows where he grew up specifically.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

He looks more like he simply belongs than any other youth academy product of the era. And I include Foden in that.

He's a prodigious talent.

Let's not be silly.

 

[Bluewonder]

Let's not be silly.

I don't think I'm being silly. Maybe it's because he's a lot bigger than the others, but he looks more of a natural fit than any of them in the first few games of their careers with us.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I don't think I'm being silly. Maybe it's because he's a lot bigger than the others, but he looks more of a natural fit than any of them in the first few games of their careers with us.

I'm just wary about people comparing fresh meat favourably to Foden. It happens every single time an academy player gets 5-10 games for us and the comparisons don't age well. It's a borderline impossible standard to set.

I get the point about him being bigger than the usual recruits but as an overall player, it's just not going to do him any favours to compare.

By Nico's age, Phil had far more experience and impact.

And I'm not trying to downplay Nico at all but people really take for granted how good Foden was and has been.