Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided an update on Nico O’Reilly’s fitness following the injury suffered against Everton at the weekend.
The 20-year-old has been one of the standout young figures in Guardiola’s team this season, continuing his rapid rise from youth academy to first-team regular, and was given another chance to impress during Saturday’s Premier League clash against David Moyes’ side at the Etihad Stadium.
However, concern arose late in the match, which resulted in a 2–0 City win, when O’Reilly had a problem, leading Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff to withdraw the midfielder in the final minutes.
The England international has been a consistent performer this season, displaying his composure, tactical awareness and adaptability, traits that have earned him significant praise from both Guardiola and his teammates, as well as a first call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Having recently signed a new and improved five-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030, Manchester City have made clear their long-term belief in Nico O’Reilly’s potential and growing influence in the first team.
Speaking after City’s 2-0 win over David Moyes’ Everton on Saturday afternoon, Pep Guardiola was questioned about the injury that had forced O’Reilly off the pitch in the final exchanges of the match.
“I think it’s a blow,” Guardiola told reporters from the Etihad Stadium. He continued: “We’ll see, but I don’t think it’s dangerous.”
Pep Guardiola’s words will come as a relief to City fans, who have already seen several key players struggle with health problems during a demanding fixture schedule. O’Reilly’s ability to play multiple positions has made him an invaluable option in the tactical system, and any spell on the sidelines would have been a setback.
With Manchester City’s schedule intensifying ahead of upcoming Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup matches, the club’s medical team will closely monitor Nico O’Reilly’s availability in the coming days.
Early indications, however, suggest that he could recover quickly and be a candidate for selection in Manchester City’s next match, which will be a trip to Spain to face Villarreal on matchday three of the European competition.