O'Reilly eyes midfield return as Man City weigh Anderson partnership

Nico O’Reilly has set his sights on a return to midfield, opening the door to a potential central partnership with Elliot Anderson should Manchester City complete their reported move for the Nottingham Forest midfielder.

O’Reilly has established himself as a first-choice left-back for both City and England during a breakthrough season, but the 20-year-old is clear that the position is a temporary home rather than a permanent one. “I think in the future I will be back in midfield,” he said. “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.”

City are understood to be working on a deal for Anderson, and the prospect of the two young midfielders operating together in the centre of the park has drawn attention — particularly given the long-term uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s future at the Etihad. A move to midfield for O’Reilly would, however, leave City needing to address the left-back position he has made his own.

O’Reilly suggested his current role already blurs the lines between positions. “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,” he said. “Even in England, I am still coming inside and allowed to drift in and drift out wide, so it is a bit more relaxed.”

The Manchester-born midfielder started England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia at the World Cup and is expected to feature again against Ghana on Tuesday — a match that will pit him against City clubmate Antoine Semenyo. O’Reilly was measured but respectful when assessing the threat posed by the winger, who joined City from Bournemouth in January.

“Antoine is a very good player. I’ve seen it first hand in training and playing with him,” O’Reilly said. “He’s very strong — he’s always in the gym. He’s a big lad but he can’t win the game by himself, so if we double up on him, we’ll see. We’ve got a physical squad ourselves. Set pieces were a threat in the last game and I’m sure they’ll be looking at that.”