City spent £125m on Enzo Fernández on Deadline Day, but one of the more interesting selection questions ahead of Saturday’s game against Coventry concerns Nico O’Reilly.
The 21-year-old has started both Premier League games under Enzo Maresca despite City spending heavily on Fernández, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer.
And there could now be another role for him.
O’Reilly could start as City’s No.6
The Guardian reports that Maresca is confident O’Reilly can operate as a No.6 and suggests he could line up at the base of City’s midfield against Coventry.
It would not be completely unfamiliar territory.
O’Reilly has spent plenty of his senior City career at left-back, but midfield is a natural position for him, and he has previously played in a deeper role.
He also made his position clear before the season started, saying he had told Maresca he was ready to play wherever required.
That versatility could become particularly useful.
City have lost Rodri and Nico González this summer and, while Bouaddi has been signed with the future in mind, the Frenchman is still only 18.
Fernández, meanwhile, is immediately in contention after his British record-equalling move from Chelsea.
TalkSPORT suggests his Premier League experience and existing match fitness make him a strong candidate to start against Coventry.
That creates another selection puzzle for Maresca.
O’Reilly played in a more advanced midfield role against Bournemouth before dropping deeper at Crystal Palace.
He could play deeper still on Saturday.
City may have spent more than £300m rebuilding their midfield this summer, but O’Reilly continues to find a way into the conversation.
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