- Nico O’Reilly impresses against Arsenal
- Pep Guardiola delighted with his all-round game
- Calls for him to receive end-of-season award
Pep Guardiola has made a big claim about Nico O’Reilly after Manchester City’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Arsenal.
Manchester City won Sunday’s all-important Premier League fixture and Nico O’Reilly was one of the team’s best players.
The left-back was unable to get on the scoresheet this time around, but he looked confident in every area of the pitch.
O’Reilly delivered a standout moment where he prevented the ball from going out of play and used his skill to bypass three Arsenal players while under pressure.
This caused Gary Neville to remark that he himself would have just kicked the ball out when he was a player.
However, O’Reilly is one of the finest examples of a modern full-back who can attack as well as defend.
Pep Guardiola calls for Nico O’Reilly to win award
O’Reilly’s performance against Arsenal was just one of the many occasions where he has impressed this season
Whether playing in midfield or defence, the England international has shown himself to look comfortable in any area of the pitch.
Guardiola has been watching him closely, and he believes an end-of-season award really ought to be on the cards for the 21-year-old.
The Man City manager told Sky Sports: “He’s incredible – defensively, offensively, in set pieces. What a player he is becoming! Playing in different positions. He’s exceptional!
“Nico, today, has been [top] defensively, offensively, with the pace, keeping the ball, having the composure to take it. Again, arriving in the final third, provoking the second goal.
“What a season! I don’t know if he’s the best player [of the season], but the young one? Guys! It has to be delivered!”
O’Reilly’s numbers against Arsenal
During Man City’s latest Premier League victory, O’Reilly made eight defensive contributions and was part of a defence who only conceded due to a Gianluigi Donnarumma error.
The defender created one big chance and with 0.35xA, he was clearly having an impact on the left side of attack.
O’Reilly had 72 touches in total, highlighting his involvement. On top of this, he played four passes into the final third and had the same number of touches in the Arsenal penalty area.
Are you watching Thomas Tuchel?
Despite his young age, O’Reilly has already muscled himself ahead of Rayan Ait-Nouri in the pecking order at Man City and he will want to be a first-team starter at the World Cup too.
England have been lifeless so far under Thomas Tuchel, lacking the flair and innovation which O’Reilly offers.
He may not have set the world alight in his most recent start against Japan, but O’Reilly did contribute to a goal against Serbia when making his debut last season.
With the youngster being able to operate as a defender or in the middle of the pitch, he should definitely be in the Three Lions squad this summer.
Better still, O’Reilly should be starting matches. If he is good enough for the best team in the Premier League, surely he is good enough for England too.
