4Views
Pep Guardiola said he should have played Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee earlier in the season. Both players helped Manchester City get back in form.
WHAT HAPPENED?
After City bounced back, Guardiola questioned his earlier choices. He realized O’Reilly and McAtee were ready to play. Both academy graduates have started important matches recently. This includes the 2-1 win over Aston Villa and a big victory against Crystal Palace. O’Reilly played well as a left-back, showing control in both attack and defense. McAtee brought extra creativity and the ability to score goals. Both stepped up during a time when injuries hit the squad hard.
CITY’S SEASON SO FAR
This season has been tough for Manchester City due to many injuries among senior players. However, the club is now unbeaten in eight games. Young players like O’Reilly, McAtee, and Rico Lewis have helped refresh the squad. Their recent win over Aston Villa lifted City to third in the Premier League table. They are in a strong position to secure Champions League football for next season. City are now three points ahead of fourth-placed Tottenham and only trail second-placed Arsenal by two points.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR CITY?
Manchester City’s next match is the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. With the club in a tight race for a top-three league finish, Guardiola will likely keep using both young and experienced players. O’Reilly and McAtee’s performances might also affect long-term squad planning. Other clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen and Nottingham Forest, are interested in McAtee. City will aim to keep their momentum as they fight for trophies and look to end the season strongly.
