Latest news with #NicoOReilly
New York Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Man City pursuing deal to sign Rayan Ait Nouri from Wolves
Manchester City are pursuing a deal to sign Rayan Ait Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Agreements still need to be reached between the clubs and with the 23-year-old — however all parties now expect a move to happen. Ait Nouri has emerged as City's top target to strengthen at left-back after four impressive seasons since joining Wolves on a permanent basis, which followed a loan spell, from Angers. Advertisement Pep Guardiola's side are working to secure the Algeria international and further recruits before the Club World Cup in the United States this summer. Premier League clubs voted to approve allowing the window to open on June 1 before closing on June 10, with the tournament kicking off four days later. City face Wydad AC, Al Ain and Juventus in Group G of the newly-expanded competition. Ait Nouri has made 157 appearances for Wolves since joining the Midlands club, initially on loan, in 2020. He made 41 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring five goals and adding seven assists. Central defender Josko Gvardiol was City's most regular left-back before academy graduate midfielder Nico O'Reilly starred in the position over the final months of the campaign. ()
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Manchester City's player of the season: Josko Gvardiol – Pep Guardiola's wildcard
It isn't usually this difficult to pick out a consistent, standout performer from a Pep Guardiola side come the end of the season, at least not because of a lack of genuine candidates. But this has not been a normal year for Guardiola, or the modern Manchester City, who will finish without a major trophy for the first time in eight seasons and went the entire month of November without a win. Advertisement Erling Haaland has been typically effective and Omar Marmoush a breath of fresh air. But if there is one player who embodies the highs and lows of Guardiola's tactical soul-searching this season — starting at left-back and centre-back, tucking into midfield, practically playing up front — and still managing to come out of it all looking pretty good, it's Josko Gvardiol. Not everything has gone smoothly for the 23-year-old in his second City season. There have been mistakes and misplaced passes, loose in the build-up to the first of Feyenoord's three goals at the Etihad, arguably at fault for two of Tottenham Hotspur's four. No outfield player has made more than his seven errors leading to shots in the Premier League this season. But at the team's lowest ebb, Gvardiol often looked the most dangerous attacking player, the one with genuine power and forward momentum from deeper positions to break through defensive lines. More recently, with flying full-back Nico O'Reilly stealing the limelight, he has been quietly brilliant in the heart of defence. Like most throughout a torrid winter, Gvardiol was caught up in the storm. But for his versatility, the variety in his attacking link-up and movement, and his ever-presence in a tough City season, there is reason to be excited for what lies ahead. Just a glance at City's top scorers in the Premier League this campaign paints an alarming picture. Far clear of the pack is the inevitable Haaland, but second is Phil Foden, who scored six of his seven goals in a three-week purple patch, along with Marmoush, a January signing. Mateo Kovacic is next with six, more than he has managed in his last seven league seasons combined, just ahead of Gvardiol — a defender, remember — with five. For a team usually fizzing with creative attacking ideas, their reliance on a single goalscorer, along with a late addition to the team and an unusually clinical finisher from the edge of the box, is not the spread of goal-scoring responsibility we are used to seeing. That said, Gvardiol's contributions — on both feet, from set pieces and after storming forward runs — have been a welcome continuation of last year's late-season form. Against Chelsea, in Marmoush's first game for the club, we saw a glimpse of Gvardiol's potential in a high-and-wide full-back role, dovetailing nicely with the Egyptian as City unleashed his running power down the flanks. The pair nearly link up for a goal below, as Gvardiol careers into the space that Marmoush's out-to-in movement creates, just overhitting his cross. Twenty minutes later, he nets City's equaliser with a similarly positive run. More common, however, is to see Gvardiol roam into the final third and find spaces in more central areas, where his technical ability and two-footedness come to the fore. It hasn't always been easy for him to get forward from his wide centre-back role this season, often pinned to the left side of a back three when City are in possession. Throughout their sticky mid-season run of form, Guardiola's side looked their most predictable when Gvardiol wasn't able to offer those overlapping and underlapping runs. A 2-1 defeat at Villa Park was a particular struggle, a game characterised by long passes out to the isolated Grealish — 23 to be precise — who was marshalled out of the game with Gvardiol itching, but tentative about getting forward in support. Earlier in the season against Newcastle United, Gvardiol was deployed in a similar role, but was more comfortable making forward runs with centre-back Manuel Akanji in midfield to provide extra defensive cover. On this occasion, Gvardiol's clever movement takes the extra man away from Grealish, who can now skip past his full-back and find an incisive pass into the box. With the composure of a forward, Gvardiol takes the ball in his stride, chops onto his weaker right and slots into the far corner. Those two sides to City were on show in a single game against Club Brugge — ponderous and overly cautious in the first half with the control of wide players Bernardo Silva and Foden and a positionally shackled Gvardiol in the first half, more dynamic and adventurous with the positivity of Savinho and an unleashed Gvardiol in the second. Advertisement The Croatian makes a similar underlapping run in the left half-space to receive the ball for City's second goal (cued up in this link). Keep an eye out for him on the third too, making a darting run into box to give Savinho the space to bring down a pass and score. He hasn't always had the freedom to impact games, but whenever he could, Gvardiol's intelligent and disruptive movement caused chaos, opening space for wingers who have generally struggled against deeper, well-set defences this year. As we saw with the Newcastle goal, Gvardiol's ability in tight spaces is absurd for a defensive player, with frequent flashes of brilliance helping City over the line in tricky games. His right-footed finish against Wolves is his most eye-catching goal of the season, but thumping headers against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final were big goals at the time. Both were reminders, too, that we're still talking about a centre-back here — tall, physically imposing, and a threat from set pieces. An absolute ROCKET! 🚀 🤯 @JoskoGvardiol4 — Manchester City (@ManCity) October 20, 2024 The most distinct part of Gvardiol's game in this City set-up, however, is his readiness to power forward and attack defensive structures with his runs from deep. He started and finished a sweeping move against Real Madrid, first sending Haaland in behind with a quick turn and pass, before tearing past back-tracking midfielders and into the box. See him appear from nowhere in the clip below, before chesting down for his No 9 to score. Similarly, against Nottingham Forest, Gvardiol is tasked with tucking into midfield whenever City have the ball. He spots an opportunity to push on as Grealish drops back into midfield, eventually latching onto a Haaland lay-off and firing just wide. It's another role that the 23-year-old can play; not as agile in tight midfield spaces as someone like Rico Lewis, but much more destructive if given the chance to attack the spaces in behind. Gvardiol has been solid at the centre of defence in recent weeks, but his unique blend of technicality and bulldozing pace and power can sometimes feel wasted in a purely defensive role. He played well in a hybrid role on the final day at Fulham, nominally a wide centre-back but looking to move forward when a City midfielder dropped deep to pick up the ball. Advertisement He feels essential to the next evolution in Guardiola's dynasty — outrageously talented, versatile, comfortably passing the ball one hundred times or more — but well-equipped to help City in an era of increased athleticism, physicality, and end-to-end football in the Premier League. It's been a disorientating year at City, but if it's taught us one thing, it's that there is more to come from Gvardiol.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Esteemed Kompany Young Player of the Season for Manchester City
There was a host of young players who impressed at times for Manchester City this season. James McAtee had his moments when allowed to play over the second half of this season. Abdukodir Khusanov showed that he has the makings of a fine centre-back after arriving at Manchester City in January. But when looking for which young player was the best performed for City during the 24/25 season, there is one stand-out candidate. That is Nico O'Reilly. The young attacking midfielder is Esteemed Kompany's young player of the 24/25 season for Manchester City. Nico O'Reilly brought control, stability and a whole lot more to Manchester City's play. The biggest compliment that you can give Nico O'Reilly came from Pep Guardiola himself. Speaking before Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final win over Nottingham Forest the City manager explained that O'Reilly has helped bring control and stability to his team's play. Considering that O'Reilly is an attacking midfielder who was asked to step in at left-back, Pep Guardiola's words were a fine tribute to Nico O'Reilly's play. The young midfielder stepped in at left-back and added another dimension to Manchester City's play. His attacking runs from left-back did help his team. O'Reilly was a key player in Manchester City's run to the FA Cup final. He also helped Manchester City secure Champions League football for next season. Advertisement Nico O'Reilly's breakout performance came in Manchester City's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth. The youngster came on at halftime of that game at the Vitality Stadium. He helped turn a 1-nil halftime deficit into a 2-1 victory. He added two assists on that day and his performance was the perfect encapsulation of him as a player. His power, pace and technical ability turned that particular game. It also showed what type of player he could become in time. From there, Nico O'Reilly's stature and confidence grew. He scored a crucial game at Goodison Park for his team in their 2-nil win over Everton in April. His ability to ghost into the box from midfield was key on that day. His goal set up a crucial win for Pep Guardiola's side. Those three points at Goodison Park were crucial to Manchester City's successful bid to secure Champions League football for next season. Nico O'Reilly played a key part in that. Nico O'Reilly is the Esteemed Kompany Young Player of the Season for Manchester City. Manchester City have found a player in Nico O'Reilly. The closing stages of this season were a coming out party of sorts for Nico O'Reilly. During the closing stages of this season he showed that could develop into a fine player for Manchester City. The fact that he did it at left-back speaks volumes. Nico O'Reilly is an attacking midfielder and that's likely where his future lies. But to step in at left-back speaks volumes of O'Reilly's temperament and talent. He stepped up when his team needed him the most and that's an attribute that will set him up well for the future. Nico O'Reilly is the Esteemed Kompany Young Player of the Season for Manchester City. In truth, there was no other contender. That's how impressive Nico O'Reilly was late in the 24/25 season. It's a credit to him that he seized his opportunity and became an important player for Pep Guardiola's side at a crucial point of the 24/25 season.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
A Manchester City youngster has been key in City's FA Cup run and deserves to start today
As Manchester City have progressed in the FA Cup this season, the competition has been a coming-out party of sorts for Nico O'Reilly. He has played a starring role in City's run to the FA Cup final. Pep Guardiola's side will take on Crystal Palace at Wembley. O'Reilly has played a key role in City's run to the final, and he should start today based on his performances in the competition. Nico O'Reilly has come of age for Manchester City during their FA Cup run. Across Manchester City's FA Cup run, Nico O'Reilly has been a key player for Manchester City. He has scored 3 goals and added 2 assists in 5 FA Cup games. His form has been especially impressive as he's primarily played at left-back for Pep Guardiola's side. That isn't his preferred role, but he's taken to it like a duck to water. That's a credit to O'Reilly and his determination to make it as a Manchester City player. There's an argument to be made that Manchester City wouldn't be playing at Wembley today if it weren't for O'Reilly's performance against Bournemouth. Nico O'Reilly came on at halftime of Manchester City's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth. City were 1-nil down at halftime at the Vitality Stadium. They needed to lift in the second half. Nico O'Reilly replaced Abdukodir Khusanov at halftime of that game. He slotted in at left-back against Bournemouth. The young midfielder provided two assists for goals from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush at the Vitality Stadium. His drive and overlapping runs from left-back were key in City's comeback victory. It was a special performance from a player who appears destined to have a long career at Manchester City. That performance was perhaps Nico O'Reilly's arrival as a player. Nico O'Reilly should start today at Wembley. Based on everything he has done during Manchester City's FA Cup run, Nico O'Reilly deserves to start today. His performances warrant that. Manchester City do look better with O'Reilly at left-back. That move allows Josko Gvardiol to play at centre-back. Gvardiol's pairing with Ruben Dias does look to be City's best centre-back pairing. They should start in the heart of City's defence today. If they do, O'Reilly should slot in at left-back. Nico O'Reilly has been a key player in Manchester City's run to today's FA Cup final. Based on his form, the City youngster deserves to start today's match. The hope is that he does so he can show everyone what he is capable of on the biggest stage. He's got the talent and mental strength to shine on the Wembley stage. Now the hope is that he is given the opportunity to do so by Pep Guardiola.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Man City's 'humble' rising star who still shops with his mum
You're unlikely to see global superstars such as Erling Haaland or Kevin de Bruyne doing their weekly shop in the giant supermarket just across from Manchester City's Etihad head to the nearby area of Collyhurst and you may just spot City's latest gem Nico O'Reilly picking up some milk and bread.O'Reilly has been a breakthrough star in a disappointing City season - and was called "very humble" by team-mate Ilkay Gundogan following another vital contribution in the victory over Everton last an accurate description, as BBC Sport met the shy, but confident 20-year-old, before Saturday's FA Cup final against Crystal says his friends and family help him stay grounded as he prepares for the biggest game of his fledgling career."I would say I've still got the same friends, I still do the same stuff, I still go to Tesco with my mum, stuff like this," O'Reilly says."My friends are all really in the football industry anyway They are all at different clubs, mainly my friends when I was in the youth team." 'Amazing feeling' being in first-team In football, O'Reilly knows Manchester City and little else.A boyhood fan of the club, he has progressed through City's age groups since signing with the academy aged eight and insiders say the potential he displayed always made him destined for the captaining the Under-18s side to the Premier League title in that particular category in 2023 - and impressing in the elite development squad last season - he made his breakthrough into the senior side at the start of this was capped with a dream first appearance which came in the Community Shield penalty-shootout win over rivals Manchester United at Wembley."It's an amazing feeling," says the 20-year-old. "Even just being around the team every day is an amazing feeling."At the start of the season, because it is my first full season with the first team, it was a bit crazy to get my head around, but as the season has gone on, I have felt more comfortable."Despite being an elegant midfielder and describing himself as a box-to-box player, City's injury crisis in defence has meant most of O'Reilly's 18 games this season have come at the unfamiliar position of Pep Guardiola has admitted that is not his position, highlighted by the five goals he has scored so far, and although O'Reilly watched the likes of Yaya Toure and David Silva growing up, he was keen to stress he is his own man."Obviously there's very big players here at the club and I watched them quite a lot," he says. "Maybe I have attributes from certain players, but I don't compare myself to anyone."Not even in a confident way, but all these players have done so much and I have not done anywhere near that, so I couldn't compare myself to someone like that." Intense Guardiola 'gets us going' City - and O'Reilly - have grown accustomed to winning but the team have fallen short of the high standards they have set in recent have been deposed at the top of the Premier League by new champions Liverpool, relinquishing their four-year grip on the trophy, while being knocked out of the Champions League at the play-off Saturday's shock goalless draw against rock-bottom Southampton leaves them in a fight to finish in the top five with two games remaining and, in turn, qualifying for the Champions League next season."I have found that the players have been positive for the majority of it," said O'Reilly."These are players that have won everything and they are still trying to improve so we can get these wins. I think it has helped my mindset and how to approach things."We have had a tough season, however there are positives to take out of it. We are just going to try and finish as well as we can now."O'Reilly says boss Guardiola "drives the intensity" at the club and "gets us all going", telling the players to "go out there and enjoy it".At one stage in the campaign, City went on a wretched run of one win in 13 games but boss Guardiola told BBC Sport the upturn in results since "would be difficult to imagine" without O'Reilly's on Saturday can provide some satisfaction to an otherwise disappointing standout performances have come in the competition, scoring in the 8-0 thrashing of Salford in the third round, netting twice against Plymouth and turning the game around against Bournemouth by creating both goals after appearing as a half-time for O'Reilly, getting his hands on a first major trophy in his maiden season as a professional awaits."Personally, it would mean a lot for me to get some silverware," he says."Obviously coming through the youth stages, you have got the FA Youth Cup, which is - I'd say - the biggest tournament in youth football. Everyone wants to play in that."Then to transition through to the first team, you have got the FA Cup, where a lot of youth players do get chances."It is an amazing tournament and it would be amazing to win it."
