Dark clouds are looming over Manchester City following the club legend’s departure, but it looks like Silva is on the sidelines after all. The victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final proved this. And there is no greater compliment to Nico O’Reilly than to suggest he can keep Bernardo Silva from missing out. Of course they would. Because the Portuguese is one of the greatest footballers of his generation.
He was one of Josep Guardiola’s lieutenants throughout the most golden period of the club’s history. He is one of the central players on the team that has won four titles, the holy grail of the Triple Crown, and has even reached 100 points in a single season. No Spaniard has featured more during his managerial career than Silva. And he helped rightfully earn a hefty sum of silver during his glorious time at Etihad Airways.
City’s thoughts then turn to who will be tasked with the near-impossible task of filling that man’s shoes. All good things come to an end. But this particular one doesn’t need that.
Because somehow Guardiola has discovered and nurtured talent right on the club’s doorstep. This is ironic given that Guardiola lavishes mind-boggling sums on signing superstars around the world. O’Reilly was born and raised in Manchester.
Like former teammate Cole Palmer, who O’Reilly had in his pocket during Saturday’s FA Cup final. Besides, did this local young man do anything good? O’Reilly is the best young footballer in the Premier League. This argument isn’t even up for debate.
Not only will he be on a plane to the World Cup against England in North America next month, but he will also start in the group’s opening game against Croatia. O’Reilly has the rare talent of being able to perform at his best the greater the opportunity.
He scored a goal in the Champions League victory over Real Madrid. He scored both goals in City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and was named man of the match in City’s league win over the Emirates in March.
He then returned to Wembley and made a grand appearance in front of the world watching, including England manager Thomas Tuchel. O’Reilly has become Guardiola’s pet project. The Spaniard has transformed a player who grew up as an attacking midfielder into a left-back.
It’s an adventurous one. Defensively, O’Reilly didn’t miss a beat. He sometimes snatched the ball from Maro Gusto, like an adult stealing sweets from a child. But there’s more to his game than preventing goals.
He produces them and also scores, a result of his relentless desire to plunder the front line. Within the first 10 minutes, they were close to Chelsea’s dead ball line and won a corner kick. He taunted Semenyo with a cross and the Ghanian headed home the winning goal shortly after.
O’Reilly darted out to the right before half-time and intercepted a dangerous-looking ball from Palmer. It seems there’s nothing he can’t do. Because he looks like a seasoned pro even though he just turned 21 a few weeks ago.
That’s always a sign of someone special. What O’Reilly will accomplish in the future is almost unfathomable. But in the meantime, City can safely bid farewell to Silva knowing the future of the team is in good hands. Thanks to O’Reilly for his love of tattoos. He has left a huge mark on English football.
