Man City contract decision speaks volumes about club's future

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• Nico O'Reilly

Manchester City have an exciting crop of talented youngsters emerging

Nico O'Reilly celebrates his goal for Manchester City at Everton

Manchester City look set to hand promising youngster Nico O’Reilly a new contract following his breakout campaign.

The academy graduate featured regularly for Pep Guardiola’s side last term having stepped in to great effect at left back rather than in his natural midfield position.

The 20-year-old played an important role in City’s run to the FA Cup final and featured at the Club World Cup. Indeed City may well not have reached the showpiece were it not for O’Reilly.

Guardiola has been pleased with his progress and has spoken effusively about the teenager’s progress.

"He has arrived from the academy and is helping us a lot," said Guardiola last season. I am more than grateful. He is taking his opportunity."

Given his age, O'Reilly has the potential to become a mainstay at City for years to come and his long term deal would be just reward for his talent, application and desire.

And it would further highlight the changing of the guard at the Etihad as City seek to evolve and develop.

Kevin De Bruyne has departed after a decade at the club while the likes of Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva could all be entering their final campaign at the club. Jack Grealish will depart this summer while there is uncertainty around the long term futures of John Stones. Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji.

City are replenishing the squad with younger players. Rayan Cherki is 21, while exciting talents Claudio Echeverri and Sverre Nypan are still teenagers. Defensive duo Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov were earmarked as signings for the future when they joined in January.

There is a changing of the guard at the Etihad. O’Reilly will rightly be part of it.

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