Now could be the time for Manchester City to let a young midfielder play | OneFootball

As Manchester City let a late lead slip during their 2-all draw with Brentford you did get the impression that Manchester City’s midfield couldn’t keep up with their opponent. In the game’s final stages, and during the 90 minutes, Brentford’s midfield looked fitter and quicker than Manchester City’s. That’s been an issue all season for Pep Guardiola’s side. A lack of legs in midfield since Rodri’s injury has exposed City’s defence.

We know that Manchester City are in the market for a midfielder this month. It’s one of their most pressing needs to address in the January transfer window. But for now, Pep Guardiola must use the players he has in midfield. With that in mind maybe it’s time to start Nico O’Reilly or use him on the pitch during the closing stages of games.

Late in the second half of Manchester City’s 2-all draw with Brentford Pep Guardiola replaced Mateo Kovacic with Ilkay Gundogan. The substitution had merit as Gundogan has the experience to manage a game’s closing stages. Unfortunately, the move didn’t pay off as Brentford fought back from 2 goals down to pick up a point. Gundogan has the experience but he doesn’t have the legs he once did. Perhaps there was merit in playing O’Reilly in this instance rather than Gundogan. Who knows if the result would’ve been different but O’Reilly has the athleticism and legs that Gundogan lacks. Maybe it’s a move to consider for Pep Guardiola if Manchester City find themselves in a similar situation going forward.

READ MORE: There is still life in Kevin De Bruyne’s legs which we saw against Brentford.

Nico O’Reilly showed what he is capable of during Manchester City’s 8-nil win over Salford City. Although he played at left-back in the FA Cup third-round tie, the traits he has that make him a tantalising midfield prospect were on full display. You do get the sense that now might be the time for O’Reilly to be given a more prominent role for the remainder of this season so he can add those qualities to City’s midfield. Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan need support. Maybe Nico O’Reilly can help provide it. It’s food for thought if nothing else.

Manchester City need legs in midfield and they need to sign another midfielder this month. Those facts are common knowledge. Perhaps there is merit in the idea of giving more minutes to Nico O’Reilly during the second half of this season. He has the physical attributes that City’s midfield currently lacks and it may further his development if he can feature more prominently. It wouldn’t entirely solve Manchester City’s midfield issues but trying something new can’t hurt right now rather than persisting with more of the same.