Nico O'Reilly admits he loves his reputation as a big-game player. The Manchester City full-back, who was the two-goal match-winner in the Carabao Cup final three months ago, made his England debut against Croatia last Wednesday and is now ready to face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday as England look to book their place in the World Cup knockout stage. “Yeah, I love a big occasion, I think it brings more out of me when I am stepping up to the bigger stages,” O’Reilly said. “I like playing under pressure. I feel like I thrive off it and just enjoy it.”
While O'Reilly is making headlines in the United States, back at City another young defender is preparing for his return. Vitor Reis, the 20-year-old Brazilian centre-back signed for £29.6m from Palmeiras in January 2025, spent the 2025-26 season on loan at City’s sister club Girona. Though Girona were relegated on the final day, Reis played 37 games and grew into one of their standout performers. City’s backline conceded the second fewest goals in the Premier League last season (35), behind only champions Arsenal (27), and Reis’s return will further bolster a well-stocked defence.
“Nico O'Reilly thrives at World Cup as Man City prepare to welcome back Vitor Reis from loan.”
The anticipated hiring of Enzo Maresca to replace the now-departed Pep Guardiola drags on, but the former Chelsea manager will take charge of a team that requires only minor tweaks. Reis is expected to join City’s depleted contingent for their pre-season tour of Hong Kong towards the end of July. Reports in Spain claim Barcelona are interested, but sources have dismissed those links as “pure speculation”. The plan, as it stands, is for Reis to be an option next season.
Girona commentator Miquel Agut Riera is full of praise. “If he plays for Manchester City next season, he has already faced the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and was outstanding,” Riera told BBC Sport. “He has everything to become an important player in a top squad. We are talking about a star in the making.”
Reis’s loan did not start well – he was sent off in only his fifth game against Levante in September – but he improved game by game. By the end of the season, he was one of the players manager Michel “could rely on”.
O’Reilly, meanwhile, has nailed down his England place as first-choice left-back, though he still regards himself as a midfielder. “I think in the future I will be back in midfield, my profile, everything fits there and maybe a box to box midfielder,” he said. “But left-back I have been enjoying it and it has got me here now to a World Cup.”
Despite a shaky start against Croatia, O’Reilly believes England are finding their rhythm. “After that chat, we all got together, we started playing freely and it opened up for us,” he said. “It felt like they couldn’t breathe.” With his mother and family supporting him in the States, O’Reilly is determined to enjoy every moment – while back in Manchester, another young star awaits his chance.