Manchester City’s gifted young defender Nico O’Reilly has received his first call-up to the England senior squad, a significant milestone in what has been a rapid and richly deserved rise for the 20-year-old.
The City academy graduate replaces Chelsea’s Reece James, who has withdrawn from Thomas Tuchel’s squad due to another injury setback — the latest in a frustrating sequence for the talented full-back.
For O’Reilly, the call is both recognition and reward.
Having been nurtured through England’s youth ranks — from Under-15 to Under-20 level — he now finds himself on the brink of representing his country at senior level, with upcoming fixtures against Wales and Latvia presenting a potential debut opportunity.
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It is a testament to his maturity, consistency, and tactical understanding that Tuchel has decided to promote him so soon after his introduction to top-flight football.
The Manchester-born defender has made just 10 Premier League starts but has already won Pep Guardiola’s confidence, featuring in nine matches across all competitions this season.
Comfortable both as a full-back and in midfield, O’Reilly combines defensive awareness with elegant composure on the ball — attributes that have drawn comparisons with some of City’s more seasoned internationals.
Manchester City’s gifted young defender Nico O’Reilly has received his first call-up to the England senior squad, a significant milestone in what has been a rapid and richly deserved rise for the 20-year-old
|PA
His recent contract extension, which ties him to the Etihad until 2030, further underlines how highly he is regarded within Guardiola’s long-term plans.
“Nico’s development has been exceptional,” a source close to the club told the Daily Mail.
“He’s shown he can handle the tactical demands of Pep’s system, and his attitude on and off the pitch has impressed everyone.”
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Nico O'Reilly has impressed for Manchester City this season
|PA
For James, the news is a bitter blow.
The Chelsea captain shared an image of a gash on his leg following Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool, though that particular wound is not thought to be the cause of his latest withdrawal.
The right-back played the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge, even as several team-mates — including Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile — were forced off with fitness issues.
The exact nature of James’s injury has yet to be disclosed, but it continues a worrying trend for the England international, who has struggled to maintain consistent fitness for several seasons.
Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s defensive depth has been stretched to its limits.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana both missed the Liverpool clash through injury, while Levi Colwill remains sidelined with a long-term ACL problem.
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Nico O'Reilly replaces Reece James in the latest England squad
|PA
Maresca was forced to finish that match with an improvised back line made up entirely of full-backs — a stark reminder of how thin his defensive resources have become.
The absence of James is particularly significant for England, as he was Chelsea’s only representative in Tuchel’s current squad.
Since 2019, he has reportedly suffered 23 separate injuries, ranging from hamstring tears to knee and ankle problems — a physically and mentally exhausting run that has often halted his momentum just as he appeared to rediscover form.
Both Maresca and Chelsea supporters will hope this latest setback is minor, allowing James to recover fully during the international break as they continue their quest for a first Premier League title since 2017.