Nico O’Reilly has found himself in and around the senior Manchester City squad this season.
Over the summer, the midfielder was heavily involved in City’s pre-season tour of America where he featured in friendly games against the likes of AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.
The 19-year-old then went on to start and complete 63 minutes against Manchester United in the Community Shield.
Since then, O’Reilly has been included in two out of the three matchday squads for City’s Premier League games this season, although he hasn’t yet made his senior top-flight debut.
Now though, the teenager has shared his praise for one particular figure at the Manchester club he’s enjoyed working closely with.
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Nico O’Reilly heaps praise on Pep Guardiola
Speaking in a recent interview shared on the England Football website, O’Reilly had this to say about getting his first taste of senior action with City.
He said: “I think it has sunk in now, but it took a while.
“I went [to the USA] and wasn’t expecting any minutes, anything like that. Then Pep [Guardiola] gave me a chance in the first game, I did well, and he put his trust in me again. I had some good games, some good performances.
“Is it less pressurised on a tour like that away from England? I don’t think so. To be honest, I don’t really feel pressure from the media or anything like that – I’m just zoned in, focusing on the game.
“I can’t really worry about stuff that’s going on off the pitch, I just get on with it. From someone like Pep, the best manager in the world, for him to have trust in you to go out there and play really means a lot.”
O’Reilly will hopefully become a regular figure in the City team
The £378k-a-week manager has given many players their Premier League debuts, some of which, such as Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, Liam Delap and Tommy Doyle among others, have come through City’s academy.
This should give O’Reilly the confidence that Guardiola will do the same with him given the faith he’s already put in the midfielder by starting him against United in the Community Shield and having him in two Premier League matchday squads.
If this were to happen at some point this season, everyone at the club will be hoping that the teenager can make the most of any senior opportunities that come his way and become a more regular figure in the team further down the line.
