Manchester City’s academy enjoyed a remarkable 2024/25 campaign, with both the Under-21s and Under-18s winning silverware.
Manchester City’s U21s became the first team to win the Premier League 2 title for a fourth time in the competition’s history.
Meanwhile, the U18s stormed their way to the U18 Premier League North title, setting a number of records along the way.
The youngsters, who also reached the U18 PL National final and the FA Youth Cup final, set a new record for the successive number of league wins (21) and a new league points tally (65).
Now, academy director Thomas Kruecken has singled five academy graduates out for praise, with focus on one player who has done something “unbelievable”.
Manchester City player Nico O'Reilly and manager Pep Guardiola
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Nico O’Reilly registered ‘unbelievable’ number of first-team minutes for a Manchester City academy player
Kruecken, speaking to the City media team, praised the five academy graduates who got game time for Pep Guardiola’s senior team last term.
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Nico O’Reilly, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Kaden Braithwaite, Jacob Wright and Divin Mubama all featured in various competitions for the first-team.
Kruecken said he was “especially” proud of O’Reilly for making his breakthrough in the first-team and making 21 outings last term.
“We are really proud of our five debutants this season,” began Kruecken.
“Especially Nico O’Reilly with over a thousand minutes around the first team,19 appearances and 14 starts, which is an unbelievable number for an academy player.”
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O’Reilly enjoyed a great breakthrough season at City last term and looks set to have a bright future at the club.
City are a club of the highest calibre and, as such, the youngsters have plenty of top players they can learn from.
City struggled at times last season, but Mateo Kovacic was one of their best performers, and Michael Brown said Kovacic could be a real inspiration for the likes of O’Reilly.
Brown said after City’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest: “Kovacic set it all off.
“He drives into positions and knows when to go and when not to. It’s so amazing that what he’s won, he takes it all in his stride.
“He’s so humble and such a lovely person. He’s a real team player and everyone can learn from him, especially Nico O’Reilly.”
Many City fans have been tipping O’Reilly to become a key player in years to come.