Pep Guardiola is convinced Manchester City teenager Nico O Reilly will be a player after his impressive display against Barcelona.
O Reilly scored City s opener in the 2-2 draw in Orlando, which the Catalans ended up winning 4-1 on penalties, and operated alongside Mateo Kovacic at the base of Guardiola s midfield.
Rodri has made that position his own at City, and though Kalvin Phillips was brought in two years ago in the hope that he could ease the burden on the Spain international s shoulders, after a dire loan spell at West Ham last term.
It means Rodri has played close to every minute for City, as he does for his country, and
I do need a rest, the 27-year-old said.
Let s see how we speak, how we live the situation. Sometimes it is what it is.
I need to adjust. It [rest] is something we are planning, yes.
But granting rest to Rodri has been a problem for Guardiola without a suitable replacement for the best in the world in his position.
And while Guardiola hasn t gone so far as to suggest O Reilly could be rotated with Rodri, he did admit that he could step into his shoes if required, adding that the 19-year-old also has the ability to play further forward.
We saw it last season in training with us, he is a guy who will be a player, Guardiola said after the draw with Barcelona.
His presence and maturity with and without the ball. Many, many good things.
I am pretty sure he can help and play with us. He can maybe play a role in holding midfield when Rodri isn t there.
He is big and a good header, he is so strong in the duels and moves well in the small spaces.
Can do a dual position of attacking and holding midfielder.
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