Man City's O'Riley after winning PFA award

Nico O'Reilly has made significant progress in his career with Manchester City, and has attributed his success to the influence of Guardiola. His youthful talent and recent accolades have made him an important player for the Premier League club, who could play a central role in City's plans in the upcoming season.

Why it matters

Nico O'Riley's recognition as the PFA Young Player of the Year is a significant milestone in his career. The award not only reflects his individual achievements, but also highlights his vital role in Manchester City's Premier League campaign. Under Guardiola, O'Riley has honed his abilities, which could enhance his effectiveness in upcoming matches for City.

Key points

• Man City's O'Riley after winning the PFA award.
• Nico O'Riley won the PFA Young Player of the Year award and expressed gratitude for Guardiola's influence as he now focuses on the upcoming Manchester City match..
• Man City's O'Reilly lauds Guardiola influence after scooping PFA award.

Nico O'Reilly has credited his former Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola for his success after he was recognized as Young Player of the Year at the PFA awards. O'Reilly won the award for his outstanding performances in the 2025–26 season, in which he won two trophies with City. The 21-year-old made 55 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing six assists, the fifth most in City's entire squad.

He scored both goals in the EFL Cup final against Arsenal, becoming the third youngest player to score two goals in the final of the competition, when he was aged 21 years and one day. O'Riley made his debut for City in the 2024 Community Shield and became a permanent member of the team last season. He thanked Guardiola for the role he played in his career. "Pep was a great manager. He believed in me, for which I will always be grateful. He helped me a lot both on and off the field," O'Reilly said.

"If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be in this position. It's very important to me to win this award. It's a great reward to be recognized by the players you play with."

O'Reilly is now under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, and he played in an attacking midfield position in their return win against Bournemouth. City are now focusing on their next Premier League match against Crystal Palace this Friday. The Eagles began their Premier League campaign with a 2–0 defeat against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with goals from Kieran Dewbury-Hall and Thearno Barry. Palace recorded an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.04, their highest in a Premier League match without conceding a goal.

Defenseman Chris Richards acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, "We have to improve on everything, last season we fell a little below the level we wanted to play."

"We have the will to win it, so it would be great to win the trophy three years in a row. It's tough to play against Everton, even if it's the first game of the season."

Players to watch

Crystal Palace – Adam Wharton
Wharton was one of the two players with the most line-breaking passes in the final third in Match Day 1 of the 2026–27 Premier League season, completing 13 passes. He also had possession of the ball eight times, the third-most for any player, and is expected to prove a threat in City's position.

Manchester City – Erling Haaland
Although not scoring in the first match, Haaland has scored in all five of his Premier League matches against Crystal Palace, netting a total of eight goals. This is a player's 100% scoring record against the same opponent.

What will happen next

Manchester City are now focusing on their next Premier League match, where they will play against Crystal Palace. With O'Riley's form and Guardiola's strategies, City are set to win this match. Crystal Palace lost their previous match, which will give City the opportunity to take the lead against them.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Nico O'Riley win the PFA award?

Nico O'Reilly won the PFA award as Young Player of the Year in the 2025–26 season.

When is the next match between Man City and Crystal Palace?

Man City's next Premier League match is against Crystal Palace this Friday.

How many goals has Nico O'Riley scored this season?

Nico O'Riley has scored nine goals in all competitions this season.

What result did Crystal Palace get in their last match?

Crystal Palace lost 2-0 in their previous match against Everton.

What is Man City's current position in the Premier League?

Man City's current position in the Premier League is not mentioned in this article.

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