Nico O’Reilly on his rapid rise to becoming England starter – and why Three Lions must go out ‘all guns blazing’ against Croatia | OneFootball

Nico O’Reilly admits his rapid rise into the England World Cup squad sometimes feels surreal.

The Manchester City left-back only made his Premier League debut in January last year, but looks likely to start England’s opening game of the World Cup against Croatia on Wednesday, having established himself as a regular under a Thomas Tuchel.

O’Reilly enjoyed a fantastic season with his club, playing 53 times in all competitions, and is now hoping to take that form into his first World Cup with the Three Lions.

“Unbelievable. A dream come true, something I’ve dreamt of as a kid and for it to come true now, obviously I’m still young, I can’t wait to get started,” O’Reilly said when asked about the feeling of being at his first World Cup.

Asked if he sometimes has to pinch himself, given how quickly his rise has been, he replied: “Yeah, a little bit. Everything’s happened so fast. As you said, I made my Premier League debut last January. Ever since then, I’ve just gone on and achieved good things at City and it’s led me to here.”

O’Reilly also says it is crucial England go out and start positively when they face Croatia.

“I think we just need to go out there all guns blazing and show them what we’re made of. Simple as that,” he said.