England World Cup star admits he’s being played in wrong position by Thomas Tuchel | Football | Sport

Nico O’Reilly has admitted he relishes his role as a player who delivers when it matters most – but admits he’s being played out of position by England manager Thomas Tuchel. O’Reilly emerged as Manchester City’s two-goal match-winner in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley three months ago. The City full-back has developed a knack for rising to the occasion, which is precisely why he is savouring the opportunity to do so once more for England at the World Cup.

O’Reilly made his debut against Croatia last Wednesday and is prepared to take on Ghana in Boston on Tuesday as England seek to secure their passage into the knockout rounds. It might have proved a daunting prospect for a young player, but the 21-year-old appeared brimming with self-assurance and is intent on savouring every second this summer.

O’Reilly said: “Yeah, I love a big occasion, I think it brings more out of me when I am stepping up to the bigger stages and I like playing under pressure. I feel like I thrive off it and just enjoy it. Just taking the game and playing free, really, playing with a smile on my face and enjoying the experience.

“Yeah it did feel amazing. At the start of the game we were all a bit on the same page and a bit slow to start and personally I think we grew into the game very well and I think we have to take that into the next game.”

O’Reilly has been among the standout narratives of last season, having helped City claim a domestic cup Double while cementing his position in the England setup. There can be little doubt that he enters this World Cup as the undisputed first-choice left-back.

Looking further ahead, he still views himself as a midfielder – the position in which he was brought up playing. Yet even operating at left-back, he continues to push forward into midfield areas. O’Reilly said: “I think in the future I will be back in midfield, my profile, everything fits there, and maybe a box-to-box midfielder, but left-back, I have been enjoying it and it has got me here now to a World Cup.

“Playing at left-back I have been playing in the middle for most of it anyway so it’s not like I am playing as a traditional left-back, even in England, I am still coming inside and allowed to drift in and drift out wide so it is a bit more relaxed.”

England appeared somewhat uncertain early on during their opening fixture against Croatia, but O’Reilly insists that was entirely predictable and the team are now poised to hit their stride.

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O’Reilly said: “I think, obviously, it was the first game of the tournament, everyone was a bit shaky, and it was bound to happen.

“Maybe people were scared to misplace a pass or make a mistake. But yeah, I think after that chat, we all got together, we started playing freely and it opened up for us.

“I think when we started to pin them in and play our football it was a lot more enjoyable. They couldn’t get out, we were getting shots off and corner after corner. It felt like they couldn’t breathe.”

O’Reilly says he benefits from a robust support network – including his mum – and his family have travelled to the States to back him.

“It is massive, very important. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have my support and that right behind me, going in the right direction, giving me advice. Yeah, very important,” he said.

“The hardest thing is avoiding the outside noise, it can be a lot for young people but there is a lot of support there but people help me and guide me in the right way.

“I have really enjoyed it. The training facility is great and we are downtown where we can just wander and relax and I have been enjoying it.”

O’Reilly sports numerous tattoos along his arm, including one bearing the 0161 Manchester dialling code. He is an immensely proud Mancunian who was raised in the north east of the city.

He also has ink on his right hand which reads “No Risk, No Story.” It speaks to a player prepared to leave everything on the pitch for the World Cup.

“For me personally, I just like to risk. I think if you don’t risk and you don’t take the chance, then you never know what’s gonna happen,” said O’Reilly, who reveals he is already contemplating his next tattoo – particularly if England win it.

He added: “Maybe a World Cup one. It’s a dream to play at a World Cup. If we win it’ll be something that sticks with me forever.”

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