Nico O’Reilly will remain at Manchester City now Pep Guardiola needs to play him | OneFootball

One of the more curious stories of the closing days of the transfer window was Chelsea’s reported interest in signing Nico O’Reilly. The young midfielder has impressed when given the opportunity by Pep Guardiola. But now it appears that O’Reilly is set to remain at Manchester City. Now you get the sense that Pep Guardiola needs to play the young midfielder more over the closing stages of this season to allow Nico O’Reilly to impress and develop.

David Ornstein has reported for the Athletic that Nico O’Reilly is set to remain at Manchester City. Furthermore, Ornstein reports that O’Reilly is highly valued at Manchester City. Due to this fact, City would’ve demanded a buy-back clause to sell the promising young midfielder. Chelsea had no intention of including a buy-back clause in any potential deal for O’Reilly. Due to this fact, the deal never materialised.

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Nico O’Reilly staying at Manchester City is good news for the world champions. The young midfielder has all of the technical, tactical and physical attributes to play in midfield for Pep Guardiola’s side. We have also seen him employed as a left-back during City’s 8-nil win over Salford City in the FA Cup. A player like Nico O’Reilly is typically hard to find. Manchester City already have him so now he needs to play to further develop his game.

Perhaps the time is now for Pep Guardiola to play O’Reilly regularly over the closing stages of this season. With Nico Gonzàlez set to arrive at the Etihad imminently City’s midfield is set to have a different look. Adding O’Reilly to the mix could change the dynamic of City’s engine room. The pair wpuld add energy and quality to City’s midfield. Those two attributes have been sorely missed this season.

Nico O’Reilly remaining at Manchester City is good news for the world champions. There was no value in selling a promising young midfielder to a rival. Now Pep Guardiola needs to play O’Reilly more often so he can further his game. Perhaps that time is now so he can develop into the player Manchester City are screaming out for.