Manchester City young defender, Nico O'Reilly, has been called up to the England squad for the first time. This follows the withdrawal of Chelsea's right-back Reece James due to an injury sustained during their Premier League win against Liverpool.
James suffered a shin gash while playing for Chelsea and subsequently posted a picture on Instagram following the game. After undergoing medical assessments, he was ruled out from further participation. This unfortunate incident paved the way for O'Reilly's inclusion in the national team.
O'Reilly’s journey from under-21s to senior squad
O’Reilly will be stepping up from England Under-21s to play in games against Wales on Thursday, 9 October and Latvia on Tuesday, 14 October. Despite being a left-back player predominantly, his inclusion leaves Tottenham's Djed Spence as the only recognised right-back in England manager Thomas Tuchel's squad.
The 20-year-old has been with Manchester City since he was eight years old and made significant strides last season by breaking into their first team. He made 21 appearances and scored five goals for Manchester City last season.
Moreover, he was part of manager Pep Guardiola’s squad at the Club World Cup during summer and has already made nine appearances this season.
Reaction to the call-up
In response to his call-up, an ecstatic O’Reilly told BBC Radio 5 Live that he was "a bit shocked and very surprised" but also "over the moon [and] buzzing with news". Starting off at Manchester City as a midfielder initially, it is his defensive performances that have caught Tuchel’s eye leading him to earn this prestigious opportunity.
This development marks an exciting chapter not just for Nico O’Reilly, but also for sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts who will be keen to see how this young talent performs on the international stage. His journey from Manchester City's youth team to England's senior squad is a testament to his hard work and potential, making him one to watch in the upcoming matches.
