Nico O'Reilly did not expect to play a minute when he was selected in the Manchester City team for their four games for the season by the US in the US in July.
But three weeks later he had scored against Barcelona in Orlando -and he also had the medal of a community Shield winner in his pocket after he had his own against five -time Champions League winner Casemiro against Rivals Manchester United in Wembley.
He was denied a deadline day to Chelsea, because City was afraid of another 'Cole Palmer' situation and one of their Academy boys with the leading role in West London.
How does he play and who does he remember?
Well, everyone who follows the youngsters of the city must forget what they thought they knew about O'Reilly – because Guardiola has other ideas.
The boss announced in the United States – to the surprise of everyone – that O'Reilly, 19, could be a substitute for Rodri as a midfielder.
Praise is not much higher than that in the city.
However, it raised a few eyebrows because he generally played further ahead – even as a NO10 or a false nine – while he came through the Academy System in City.
But perhaps his versatility is what appeals to the Etihad boss, who likes a midfielder who can fulfill a variety of positions
After an enchantment on the sidelines with injury last season, the England returned to the training under 20 star and Guardiola was shocked by how much he had grown.
The hope at City is that he can use that physicality and grows in the role that Rodri plays so effectively when he reads the game particularly well.
He also showed that he is much more than just a stop with his excellent goal against Barcelona in Orlando.
That looked more like the O'Reilly they knew on the City Football Academy-where he had a reputation for scoring striking goals.
He scored his first for the senior side in the 8-0 FA Cup break of Salford.
His coaches under 21 say he would be able to do different jobs for Pep and that he has all the attributes to be a top player.
Tell us about his turnout
He has been playing for his Boyhood Club City since the Ondernieren and has come through in the same cohort as Rico Lewis.
He made the bank for the first team of Pep Guardiola in Brighton in the spring of 2023, but then a serious ankle injury stopped his progress.
However, he continued where he had left. In City they still talk about a scorpion kick he scored against Middlesbrough for the youth team and a 40-Yard Lob against United in the Junior Derby.
What do the experts say?
Ben Wilkinson is now the boss of the ED's of City, but has seen O'Rilly come through the ranks. He said: “Historically, he played as a NO8 or a NO10 in the academy.
“But his ceiling is very high – and he has more attributes than people give him the honor. His technical level is very high. Hopefully he can put his physicality in his game because he has many things you need to be a top midfielder.
“His versions were one of the highlights of the Tour, so hopefully Pep has learned if he has to use it, then he can.
Guardiola himself said: 'He is a man who will be a player. He was injured last season.
“He came back in the middle of the season, trained with us and I said: 'Wow. This man is big. “
He is about 6ft 2 in and is present about him.
What will hold on for the next 12 months?
Guardiola insisted that this season he would be part of the first team team and he played a few times despite the return of Ilkay Gundogan who already made a crowded scrap for midfield places.
O'Reilly started in the Carabao Cup against Watford and Tottenham – and had his Champions League bow against Sparta Prague before he was in the FA Cup against Salford.
He will hope that there will be more, especially after the move to London had been rejected.
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