Meet Nico O’Reilly, 19, who could replace Rodri and was denied Chelsea transfer as Man City feared ‘another Cole Palmer’

NICO O’REILLY did not expect to play a infinitesimal erstwhile helium was selected successful Manchester City’s squad for their 4 lucifer pre-season circuit of the USA successful July.

But 3 weeks aboriginal helium had scored against Barcelona successful Orlando - and besides had a Community Shield winner's medal successful his pouch aft holding his ain against five-time Champions League victor Casemiro against rivals Manchester United astatine Wembley.

He was denied a deadline time determination to Chelsea, arsenic City feared different 'Cole Palmer' concern and 1 of their academy lads starring successful West London.

HOW DO THEY PLAY AND WHO DO THEY REMIND YOU OF?

Well, anyone who follows City’s youngsters should hide what they thought they knew astir O’Reilly – due to the fact that Guardiola has different ideas.

The brag announced successful the States – to the astonishment of everyone – that O’Reilly, 19, could beryllium a lawman for Rodri arsenic a holding midfielder.

Praise doesn’t travel overmuch higher than that astatine City.

However it raised immoderate eyebrows arsenic helium has mostly played further guardant – adjacent arsenic a No10 oregon a mendacious 9 – portion coming done the academy strategy astatine City.

But possibly his versatility is what appeals to the Etihad boss, who does similar a midfielder who tin capable a assortment of positions  

After a spell connected the sidelines with wounded past season, the England Under-20 prima returned to grooming and Guardiola was shocked by however overmuch helium had grown.

The anticipation astatine City is helium tin usage that physicality and turn into the relation that Rodri plays truthful efficaciously arsenic helium reads the crippled peculiarly well.

He besides showed that helium is overmuch much than conscionable a stopper with his superbly taken extremity against Barcelona successful Orlando.

That was much similar the O’Reilly they knew astatine the City Football Academy – wherever helium had a estimation for scoring eye-catching goals.

He netted his archetypal for the elder broadside successful the 8-0 FA Cup demolition of Salford.

His Under-21 coaches accidental helium would beryllium susceptible of doing a assortment of antithetic jobs for Pep and that helium has each the attributes to beryllium a apical player.

TELL US ABOUT THEIR RISE

He’s been playing for his boyhood nine City since the Under nines and has travel done successful the aforesaid cohort arsenic Rico Lewis.

He made the seat for Pep Guardiola’s archetypal squad astatine Brighton successful outpouring 2023 but past a superior ankle wounded stopped his progress.

However helium has picked up wherever helium near off. At City they inactive speech astir a scorpion footwear helium scored against Middlesbrough for the younker squad and a 40-yard lob against United successful the inferior derby.  

WHAT ARE THE EXPERTS SAYING? 

Ben Wilkinson is present brag of City’s EDS but has seen O’Reilly travel done the ranks. He said: “Historically, he’s played arsenic a No8 – oregon a No10 successful the academy.

“But his ceiling is precise precocious – and he’s got much attributes than radical springiness him recognition for. His method level is precise high. Hopefully helium tin enactment his physicality into his crippled due to the fact that he’s got a batch of things you request to beryllium a apical midfielder.

“His performances were 1 of the highlights of the circuit truthful hopefully Pep has learned if helium needs to usage him past helium can.

Guardiola himself said: “He’s a feline who volition beryllium a player. He was injured for a agelong clip past season.

“He came backmost successful the mediate of the season, trained with america and I said 'Wow. This feline is big.”

He’s astir 6ft 2in and has a beingness astir him.

WHAT DOES THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HOLD?

Guardiola insisted helium would beryllium portion of the archetypal squad squad this play and helium has played a mates of times contempt the instrumentality of Ilkay Gundogan making an already congested scrap for midfield places adjacent much crowded. 

O’Reilly has started successful the Carabao Cup against Watford and Tottenham - and made his Champions League bow against Sparta Prague earlier netting successful the FA Cup against Salford.

He volition anticipation determination is much to come, particularly aft the determination to London was rejected.