Nico O’Reilly scored a brace in the win against Plymouth.
Image credit: BMNCTY
Chelsea’s attempt to sign Manchester City’s promising young midfielder, Nico O’Reilly, was firmly rejected by the Premier League champions— and Pep Guardiola seems to have no regrets.
The 19-year-old not only stayed at the Etihad but also delivered a standout performance in City’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Plymouth Argyle, scoring twice and earning the Man of the Match award.
Chelsea’s Deadline Day Bid Rejected
Reports suggest that Chelsea made an approach for O’Reilly on February 3, hoping to secure the youngster before the transfer window closed.
With Enzo Maresca looking to strengthen his midfield options, the Blues saw O’Reilly as a potential addition to their squad.
However, Manchester City quickly shut down the move, refusing to part ways with the highly-rated talent.
Guardiola’s ‘Good Decision’ to Keep O’Reilly
Guardiola has previously expressed frustration over losing young talents to rival clubs.
The departures of Cole Palmer to Chelsea and Gabriel Jesus & Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal left the City boss cautious about selling another rising star.
Reflecting on O’Reilly’s match-winning display, Guardiola stated:
“Sometimes you take a good decision, otherwise he wouldn’t have scored two goals.”
City’s Academy Policy: Keeping Control of Young Talent
City have established a pattern of selling young players with buy-back clauses, ensuring they maintain control over their development.
Similar deals saw Romeo Lavia move to Southampton (before joining Chelsea for £58m) and Liam Delap transfer to Ipswich Town with a £40m buy-back option.
However, with O’Reilly’s rapid rise, City appear to have bigger plans for him—one that does not involve a premature exit from the club.
What’s Next for O’Reilly?
With City advancing to the FA Cup quarter-finals, O’Reilly’s influence on the squad is growing. His ability to perform under pressure has likely cemented his place in Guardiola’s future plans.
As for Chelsea? They may have to look elsewhere for their next midfield signing, as Manchester City remain firm on keeping their emerging talent.