Pep Guardiola has now called Manchester City U19 star up for UEFA Champions League clash vs Sparta Prague

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The City Football Academy has provided Pep Guardiola with plenty of talent at Manchester City.

In recent times, the Spaniard has been handed the likes of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb to bolster his squad – all of whom are currently among the most precocious talents in the Premier League.

There was also – of course – Cole Palmer, who is now a talismanic figure at Chelsea after Manchester City let him go.

The England international has helped the Blues sit sixth at the time of writing.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	8	7	0	1	15	3	12	21
2	Man CityManchester City	8	6	2	0	19	9	10	20
3	ArsenalArsenal	8	5	2	1	15	8	7	17
4	Aston VillaAston Villa	8	5	2	1	15	10	5	17
5	BrightonBrighton	8	4	3	1	14	10	4	15
6	ChelseaChelsea	8	4	2	2	17	10	7	14

Now – as teased by Joe Bray of the Manchester Evening News – another prospect could be about to get a chance at Manchester City in Nico O’Reilly.

Manchester City take Nico O’Reilly out of U19 action ahead of UEFA Champions League clash

Bray has now posted on X (previously known as Twitter) to reveal that the 19-year-old has been removed from the UEFA Youth League squad for Wednesday’s U19 clash against Sparta Prague.

Instead, O’Reilly has been promoted into the senior squad – which suggests Guardiola could hand the teenager his UEFA Champions League debut.

Bray wrote: “No Nico O’Reilly for the U19s in the Youth League this afternoon. He’s been added to the senior squad for tonight according to UEFA. Wright, Heskey and Alfa-Ruprecht start after training with the first team yesterday.”

The captain of the Manchester City U19 side has only previously made two senior appearances for the Citizens, which came in the FA Community Shield and also in the Carabao Cup.

Therefore, it would be a special moment for O’Reilly if he was handed a UEFA Champions League debut against Sparta Prague – especially in front of home support at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola could coach O’Reilly into Rodri 2.0

Rodri, who could be offered a new deal, is up for the Ballon d’Or award, and is undoubtedly the best No.6 on the planet – combining his dominant physique with immense technical ability in a unique blend of midfielder.

Whether a player is homegrown or imported, Manchester City will struggle to find someone capable of emulating the Spaniard, but with a world renowned coach in Guardiola at the helm, O’Reilly could be moulded into a similar midfield maestro.

Rodri – who Real Madrid want – and the England U20 international are both towering 6ft 3in giants who can also excel with their feet, so in terms of profile at least, the City Football Academy graduate could well replace the Manchester City No.16 one day if he ends up fulfilling his vast potential.