Nico O’Reilly may have an important role to play against Bournemouth | OneFootball

Nico O’Reilly has impressed during Manchester City’s current FA Cup run. He has played primarily as a left-back and has scored three goals in three games in the competition. He scored against Salford City during City’s 8-nil win. O’Reilly started against Leyton Orient and played 72 minutes in City’s 2-1 win. His most impressive display came against Plymouth Argyle, where Nico O’Reilly scored a brace in Manchester City’s 3-1 win which sealed their place in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

Pep Guardiola’s side will face Bournemouth on Sunday at the Vitality Stadium in an FA Cup quarter-final tie. A tough test awaits Manchester City against a Bournemouth side who have been impressive this season. Based on how much football Josko Gvardiol played over the international break, Nico O’Reilly could have an important role to play on Sunday.

Josko Gvardiol played twice for Croatia against France in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie. He played 90 minutes in Croatia’s 2-nil win in the first leg. Gvardiol followed that by playing 105 minutes in the second leg where France beat Croatia on penalties only three days later. The Croatian international got through a mountain of work for his country and he could do with a rest at some point. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gvardiol start on the bench at the Vitality Stadium.

Nico O’Reilly could step in at left-back if Josko Gvardiol needs to be rested.

If that proves to be the case then it would be expected that Nico O’Reilly would step in at left-back. There doesn’t appear be another alternative for Pep Guardiola if he does decide to rest Josko Gvardiol. We have seen O’Reilly impress against Salford City, Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle. But playing against Bournemouth would be a step up for O’Reilly. It’s a challenge that he needs to face to further his development as a player. He has the size and athleticism to compete against Bournemouth’s wide men. O’Reilly could also pose a threat going forward for Pep Guardiola’s side, especially at set pieces. Nico O’Reilly has the physical tools to play at the highest level and he could be given the opportunity to prove that at the Vitality Stadium in Sunday.

If Josko Gvardiol is rested tomorrow against Bournemouth, Nico O’Reilly may have an important role to play for Manchester City. He has the ability to start at left-back which he has already displayed during Manchester City’s FA Cup run. Facing Bournemouth would be big step up in quality for O’Reilly to contend with. But he could be a player that is made for stage that awaits Manchester City tomorrow.