‘Nico O’Reilly bullied after Rayan Ait Nouri’s arrival at Man City’
Man City ace Nico O’Reilly endured some difficult moments at a bad time as the Premier League side got their Club World Cup campaign under way.
In what was a difficult campaign for Pep Guardiola‘s side, the emergence of the 20-year-old as a first-team option was one of the bright sparks.
O’Reilly produced some impressive performances for Man City, with some important contributions such as in the FA Cup quarter final win over Bournemouth.
Despite that, the Citizens have already added to their options in the left-back position that the versatile youngster has often played in during the summer transfer window.
Earlier this month, Man City completed the signing of Rayan Ait Nouri from Wolves, giving themselves another option at left-back.
Nico O’Reilly comes under pressure in Club World Cup
On Wednesday (18 June), Guardiola’s side played their first game since the end of the 2024/25 campaign, as they faced Moroccan team Wydad AC in their opening group game at the Club World Cup.
Goals at the start and end of the first half from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku put the Premier League club firmly in control with a 2-0 lead at half time.
Meanwhile, Man City forward Omar Marmoush was on the end of a heavy challenge from opposition midfielder Cassius Mailula in the opening 45 minutes.
O’Reilly was another who had some tough moments in the first half, as he found himself outmuscled by Nordin Amrabat on several occasions, with the 38-year-old proving to be the main threat for Wydad.
That did not go unnoticed by Andros Townsend either, who felt O’Reilly was struggling to deal with the winger, as the ex-Tottenham man provided co-commentary on the game for DAZN.
After commentator Connor McNamara noted that Wydad had often looked to to Amrabat to get them into the Man City half, the former England international replied (5:43pm): “Exactly that.
“He’s using his strength to bully young O’Reilly, just driving into the opposition half and getting into dangerous areas.”
Man City man’s struggles come at a bad time
Football Insider Verdict
With the addition of Ait Nouri to the squad, O’Reilly would not have wanted something like this to happen in a match such as this in particular.
As a result of the signing of the Wolves man, the 20-year-old now has a more established and experienced option to compete with for a place at left-back in the starting XI.
So having been handed a start in this game, O’Reilly will have wanted to use this game as a chance to lay down a marker in the fight for a place in the Man City.
However, being described as having been “bullied” by a 38-year-old who only narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship with Hull City last season, cannot be viewed as taking that advantage.
With this tournament coming in the midst of a heavy schedule for Man City, it would be a surprise if Guardiola does not rotate his squad and hand Ait Nouri a debut sooner rather than later.
When it comes to that point, many will be interested to see how he fares in comparison to O’Reilly in that potential battle for a left-back spot long term.