Pep Guardiola can certainly be credited with bringing through some exciting young talent from Manchester City's academy. The Spaniard has certainly relied a lot on academy graduates, with the Citizens' youth sides producing some of the best up-and-coming players in world football.
Of course, it was Guardiola who gave Cole Palmer his first forays into professional football, although the England international left for Chelsea back in 2023. The best homegrown star Guardiola brought through at the Etihad Stadium is Phil Foden, who has made 327 appearances for his boyhood club.
Palmer Foden
In more recent times, Nico O’Reilly has broken into the first-team squad.
Why Pep Guardiola loves O’Reilly at Man City
There is a lot to like about 20-year-old Mancunian star Nico O’Reilly. He has shone during his short City career so far, and was even rewarded with a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, although he didn’t play a game.
Nico O'Reilly
So far, the youngster has made 30 appearances at first-team level for his boyhood club. He’s even chipped in with five goals and three assists in that time.
In 2025/26, O’Reilly has started the last four Premier League games.
The youngster has left a big impression on Guardiola, with the Spanish manager explaining he is “helping us a lot” in the senior side, before confirming he is “taking his opportunity” to impress for City.
It is easy to understand what the long-term City boss is talking about when he says those things. O’Reilly is like a Swiss army knife, able to operate in multiple positions.
A number 10 by trade, he’s played as a left-back more often than not for City, as well as in midfield and even as a centre-forward.
Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly in action with Arsenal's William Saliba
The versatility O’Reilly brings to the table is important in Guardiola’s squad. In many ways, his emergence has seen him leapfrog a similar profile of player in the pecking order.
The Man City star now on borrowed time
Guardiola himself summed it up perfectly, explaining that O’Reilly has grabbed his chance with both hands.
It is easy to consider him a nigh-on indispensable member of the group nowadays, with his England call-up cementing that.
However, O’Reilly’s role in the first team has meant that Rico Lewis’ opportunities have diminished this season. The 20-year-old full-back is also a graduate of City’s academy, and has played a lot of games since he broke into the side back in 2022/23.
rico-lewis-nottingham-forest-man-city-premier-league
In fact, the Bury-born star has reached exactly 100 games for his boyhood club, bringing up the milestone against Burnley last month.
He’s bagged five goals and assisted ten for the Citizens so far, including a strike in the FA Cup semi-final last season against Nottingham Forest.
Described as a “serious talent” by football statistician Statman Dave, Lewis can operate all over the pitch, just like O’Reilly. He has predominantly played at right-back, but has also featured on the opposite side and all across the midfield.
The ability to play as a right-back and tuck inside as a midfielder when his side has the ball has led Guardiola to describe Lewis as City’s "little Philipp Lahm.” However, since O’Reilly has broken through, he has seen his game time reduced, likely due to the similarity of the players.
Rico Lewis
When looking at a statistical comparison from last season in the Premier League, it is easy to see why Guardiola might favour O’Reilly.
The Mancunian star does outperform Lewis in several key metrics, although the latter did play more forward passes, with 11.9 compared to 11.
Lewis vs O'Reilly
Stat (per 90)
Chances created
Forward passes
Take-ons completed
Duels won
Ball recoveries
Stats from Squawka
Perhaps Lewis is on borrowed time at City. He has been leapfrogged in the pecking order by a player the same age and a vastly similar profile. It will be tough for him to nail down a spot if things continue the same way.
Manchester City's Rico Lewis
Last summer, he was a transfer target for a number of Premier League clubs, with Nottingham Forest believed to have made a bid.
If his lack of game time continues this way, maybe he will explore a move away from his boyhood club.