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Nico O'Reilly has signed a new long-term contract at Manchester City and his record in the team is very impressive.
As weekends go, it was a pretty good one for Nico O'Reilly. He signed a new five-year contract at Manchester City on Friday and the Blues then won 5-1 on Saturday to maintain his remarkable record in this team.
O'Reilly was the breakthrough star of last season, edging his way into the team during a difficult campaign, and he is becoming something of a lucky charm.
The win against Burnley was the ninth Premier League start of his career, of which seven have been won and two drawn. In total, he has won 15 and lost just two of his 20 starts in all competitions, and one of those came right at the very start, in the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham last year in a much-changed team.
An attacking midfielder by trade, he looks at home as a left-back, and Guardiola had been studying the stats regarding O'Reilly, which was part of the reason he was so keen to tie him down to a new contract.
"I think since he started to play, we lost just one game, the FA Cup final against [Crystal] Palace,” he said. "When he's not been involved it was defeats all the time.
"So Nico helped us a lot, improved a lot in his aggression and set-pieces and with the ball.”
The 20-year-old is a softly-spoken type whose rise has taken plenty by surprise. He took his opportunity with both hands last season and Rayan Ait-Nouri's injury has him back in the team this season.
That arguably sums up his impact. City lost two of their first three games but have been unbeaten in five since O'Reilly came in. It's not all down to him, but he is the type of footballer who can make others look better.
The new contract keeps him at the club until 2030 and adds to a youthful core being built by Guardiola. O'Reilly was wanted by Chelsea last season and linked with clubs in Europe this summer, but is delighted he is now staying at the Etihad.
"I heard rumours [about Chelsea]," he said. "But I was in season, I had to stay focused. At that time my main goal was to get on the pitch and start playing, before then I didn't get much time on the pitch. [The contract] shows they have faith in me and want me here."
O'Reilly had never played at left-back until being thrown in against Salford City last January, but he describes the interpretation of the position under Guardiola as a "free role" and he is as comfortable driving down the left flank as he is drifting into midfield and even central positions in the penalty area.
He was one of eight academy graduates to be involved in the Carabao Cup win against Huddersfield last week and is now seeking to pass on any advice he can.
Although he is relatively fresh to the side, there were three debutants against the Terriers, and O'Reilly walked out of the Etihad on Saturday deep in conversation with Divine Mukasa.
"I'm proud to be here," said O'Reilly. "Having academy players in the team is always a good thing, and obviously in games like that where more can be in, so it's a great feeling, and I'm happy for the lads that made their debut.
"I'm just trying to make them feel as comfortable as possible, that's what I got, and it helped me out a lot, so whatever I can do to make them feel the same way, that's what I'll do."
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