Is a positional shift on the cards for a Manchester City starlet? | OneFootball

Nico O’Reilly has firmly established himself as a prominent member of the first team at Manchester City. He rose to prominence playing at left-back during the back end of the 2024-25 season. Last season was officially Nico O’Reilly’s breakout season as he became a vital player for Pep Guardiola’s side and won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award. Nico O’Reilly also played an important role at left-back for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All told, Nico O’Reilly has established himself as important player for both club and country.

Heading into a new era under Enzo Maresca, Nico O’Reilly may have a more important role to play for his team. Manchester City may need him to play in midfield. Nico O’Reilly is arguably City’s first-choice left-back, but given City’s strength in that position and the fact that City may need another technically gifted and powerful midfielder in their engine room, a role change may be on the cards for Nico O’Reilly.

Nico O’Reilly looms as a viable midfield option for Manchester City next season.

Last season saw Nico O’Reilly establish himself as Manchester City’s first-choice left-back. Josko Gvardiol suffered a serious injury last January and subsequently missed a large chunk of last season. Rayan Ait-Nouri struggled to establish himself in the City starting eleven in his first season at the club. These factors, plus Nico O’Reilly’s irrepressible form, made him a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s lineup.

Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, Manchester City are blessed with three quality options at left-back. Nico O’Reilly is one. If Josko Gvardiol puts his injury issues behind him he is another. Given how Enzo Maresca utilises his full-backs, Rayan Ait-Nouri could also play a more prominent role for City. For the sake of argument, if Gvardiol takes the left-back role, it could facilitate Nico O’Reilly’s move into midfield.

Nico O’Reilly is a midfielder by trade. He rose through Manchester City’s academy playing as an attacking midfielder. O’Reilly has the game for it. The England international also played alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva in Manchester City’s midfield last season when required. He is definitely more than capable of being an exceptional midfielder in a City side. Physically, with how the Premier League has evolved, Nico O’Reilly’s strength and size could be hugely important in Manchester City’s midfield. Especially if he plays alongside Elliot Anderson to give Enzo Maresca’s side a technically proficient and powerful midfield.

Nico O’Reilly playing regularly in midfield is food for thought if nothing else.

Playing Nico O’Reilly in midfield is a bonafide option for Enzo Maresca to consider. There is merit to it just as there is merit to keeping Nico O’Reilly at left-back given how well he plays the role. His late attacking runs from left-back are a major weapon for this Manchester City side. Perhaps, Enzo Maresca won’t want to lose that option and will want to play O’Reilly as an inverted left-back to add another player into midfield when City have possession.

However, Nico O’Reilly is destined to be a full-time midfielder. It is just a matter of when that particular positional shift occurs. It could happen next season. Manchester City are blessed with the options at left-back to facilitate this shift. Whether or not it occurs will be interesting to follow throughout Manchester City’s 2026-27 campaign.