O’Reilly: I think I’m improving game by game | OneFootball

Nico O’Reilly says he feels he’s getting better every time he takes to the pitch for City.

Men's Team

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The 20-year-old has enjoyed a sparkling 2025 personally, playing 35 times since the turn of the year and becoming a key part of Pep Guardiola’s plans.

Having spent more than a decade in our Academy playing predominantly in midfield, O’Reilly has taken incredibly well to his left-back berth in the first team.

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The No.33 says himself he had never played in the role before the January FA Cup clash with Salford City but less than a year on, he appears a natural.

So much so, he’s even earned his first two England caps in the position.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Fulham, O’Reilly reflected on his rise to this point.

“I think I’m improving massively,” he began.

“Game by game. It’s not just a traditional left-back, it’s more complicated.

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“I’m going inside, going to the wing, getting into the box, defending as a back four and keeping a high line.

“There’s so much going into it and very tactical. It’s quite a demanding position, there’s a lot of running up and down the flank. I’m enjoying it and I feel like I’m improving every game.

CHRISTMAS, TOGETHER

“I feel I understand the tactics and have always been quite clever on the pitch but it’s definitely a challenge because it’s a much higher level than previously.”

O’Reilly has already made some of his dreams come true in 2025 but the Manchester-born star is well aware there’s plenty more hard work to come.

Having seen such a dramatic change in his life this year, he insists he’s doing everything he can to take it all in his stride.

“I’m really enjoying it. It’s mad because I never thought I’d be in this position so soon,” he said.

“I’m trying to stay level-headed and stay off social media. I want to stay calm.

“There’s a lot of outside noise but at the end of the day none of that matters, it’s what happens on the pitch that matters the most.”

O’Reilly’s natural energy and athleticism sees him get up the pitch regularly in every game, where he has formed an understanding with Erling Haaland.

Whether it’s crossing from deep or picking him out from the byline, O’Reilly feels he knows exactly the kind of service the prolific Norwegian is looking for.

“Erling’s a top, top player and I know he’s always going to be there,” said O’Reilly.

“When I’m putting the crosses in, whether it’s standing up to the back post, cutting it back, as soon as I look up and see a little movement I know where he’s going so I’ll put it there and he does the rest.

“His movement’s so good that he can go anywhere. He can jump so high, he’s so fast in behind, so having a striker like that is so important.”

Christmas Together

Manchester City along with the Club’s charity, City in the Community, is uplifting the physical and mental health of patients, their parents/guardians, and siblings at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH) this Christmas and into 2026.​

The new ‘Christmas Together’ campaign creates another opportunity for fans to team up with the Club to increase City in the Community’s delivery within the RMCH via a new year-round programme, ‘City Onside’.​

Manchester City is matching any donations* made to the charity through the ‘City in the Community Prize Draw’, meaning fans can double their chances to win amazing prizes.

Entries start at £5 per ticket; supporters can enter on a one-off basis, or they can sign up to a direct debit, meaning they enter the draw monthly automatically. To take part in the prize draw, or to find out more, visit: www.mancity.com/citcprizedraw. ​

That is not all! For every purchase a fan makes from a range of selected retail items*, the Club will donate £5 to City in the Community.

This year’s Christmas retail shop is open now, in store and online, featuring new festive gifts for 2025. Items which include a £5 donation to City in the Community through the ‘Christmas Together’ campaign are:

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