When England face Argentina tonight in the World Cup semi-final, Nico O’Reilly will be part of the biggest occasion of his career.
His place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad is a personal achievement, but it also says something about City’s academy.
For years, the club’s youth system was judged by one question: how many players reached Pep Guardiola’s first team?
That is no longer the only measure of success. And not just because pep is no longer here.
A different way of judging an academy
Breaking into the City first team has rarely been straightforward.
For much of the past decade, Pep has worked with one of the strongest squads in European football. Opportunities for academy players have been limited, regardless of their ability.
That has changed the conversation around City’s academy.
The question is no longer simply how many graduates become regulars at the Etihad. It is how many go on to build careers at the highest level.
Cole Palmer has become one of England’s leading attacking players.
James Trafford is part of England’s World Cup squad.
Morgan Rogers has broken into the international picture since leaving the club.
Romeo Lavia has established himself in the Premier League.
Liam Delap has taken the next step in his career.
Now O’Reilly has joined that group.
Whether they remain at City or move elsewhere, academy graduates are increasingly making their mark in the Premier League, European competition and international football.
Preparing players for senior football
City’s academy has enjoyed plenty of success at youth level, but trophies have never been the only objective. Not really.
The City Football Academy was built to prepare players for senior football.
That means developing technical ability, tactical understanding and the flexibility to play in different systems and positions.
Not every academy player will play under Enzo Maresca.
Few clubs can offer a straightforward route into a first team filled with established international footballers.
Instead, the emphasis has been on preparing young players for senior football, whether that opportunity comes at City or elsewhere.
The number of former academy players now competing across the Premier League suggests that approach has been effective.
O’Reilly is the latest example
O’Reilly’s place in England’s World Cup squad has been earned through steady progress.
Like many academy graduates before him, he worked his way through City’s age groups before earning opportunities in senior football.
Now he is preparing for a World Cup semi-final.
Whether he starts against Argentina (which we think he will) or is introduced from the bench, his selection reflects the trust England have placed in him.
For City, it is another reminder that the academy is producing players capable of competing at the highest level.
That may not always mean a place in Maresca’s starting XI.
Increasingly, it means producing footballers ready for the Premier League, the Champions League and the World Cup.
