Nico O’Reilly has revealed how he learnt he had been called up to the senior England squad whilst on the Manchester City team bus.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough nine months at the Etihad Stadium that has made him a vital member of the Manchester City first-team squad and seen his rewarded with a new long-term deal on improved wages.
O’Reilly’s emergence from the academy was underpinned by the Englishman’s impactful, difference-making in Manchester City’s Premier League and FA Cup campaigns last term, with the young left-back producing a man-of-the-match display to lead his boyhood club to a 2-1 win away at Bournemouth in the FA Cup final in March.
A vital second-half opener in a 2-0 win away at Everton also gave O’Reilly a massive lift as he embedded himself firmly into the Manchester City first-team ranks in the absence of a natural left-back in the squad.
The City academy graduate – primarily a midfielder – has been in fine form on the left side of Guardiola’s back four this season and has capitalised on the opportunities that have come his way since summer signing Rayan Ait-Nouri sustained an injury in a 2-0 loss to Tottenham in August.
After helping Manchester City maintain their fine run of form in recent months with another crucial win on the road against Brentford on Sunday, O’Reilly received a surprise call-up to the senior England squad after Chelsea’s Reece James suffered an injury in a 2-1 triumph over Liverpool.
Speaking to the FA on the circumstances around his inclusion, O’Reilly said: “I got a call from (England manager) Thomas (Tuchel) after the game and he let me know. First, I got a text – I had to double check it – when I was on the team bus on the way back from the game. As soon as I got off the bus, I gave him a call in my car.
“He (Tuchel) just said that he’d love to have me in the squad, he’s been watching for quite a while, he sees I’m doing well and he’s happy I’m playing a lot of games. I was just buzzing. I told my friends, told my mum and let a few people know.
“They said they were so proud of me, to soak it all in, enjoy every moment and be myself. Then I had to go to bed! I met everyone – everyone was so welcoming – then got changed into my kit, had a few interviews, had to take a few pictures and I’m here now.
“Everything has happened so fast but I’m enjoying every single minute of it. It’s a crazy feeling. I’m so happy to be here. It’s definitely one of the biggest moments in my career and in my life being here. I wasn’t expecting it. It’s always been a goal and a dream of mine to be in the senior squad and now it’s happened.
“The seniors is the main goal and where everyone wants to be. It’s a surreal feeling. I just want to work hard in training and impress everyone, get to know new people and have a good time. I can’t wait to get out on the pitch with the lads and get started!”
O’Reilly is in the form of his life and is looking like one of the finest academy stars Manchester City have graduated, having gone from strength to strength and delivered out of position for his boyhood club amid a period of transition for the Blues on the pitch.
