🎙️ Sky Sports Premier League Podcast •March 4, 2026 •⏱️ 18 min

One on One | Nico O’Reilly on why Man City are 'starting to click' at the right time!

🎧 Listen to Original Episode →

1. Executive Overview: Core Theses & Key Revelations

The 2025/26 Premier League campaign has emerged as a defining transition point for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. Following a decade of structural dominance built upon a battle-tested core of veteran leaders, the Etihad club finds itself navigating a deliberate generational transition. When Pep Guardiola publicly noted after a hard-fought victory over Newcastle United that 67 percent of his current squad comprised new arrivals or freshly promoted academy graduates, he signaled a structural shift in City's sporting architecture. The central question facing the footballing landscape is whether Guardiola's exacting Positional Play (Juego de Posición) can maintain its ruthlessness when two-thirds of the playing group lack the shared muscle memory of previous championship runs.

Nico O'Reilly's rapid ascension from academy prospect to first-team cornerstone serves as the definitive case study of this transition. Having signed a formal contract extension in the autumn of 2025, the 20-year-old midfielder—frequently deployed as a hybrid inverted full-back—embodies both the physical evolution and technical versatility demanded by Guardiola's late-era system. O'Reilly's sit-down interview on Sky Sports' One on One podcast offers an uncommonly transparent look inside the internal mechanics of City's dressing room during the pressure-filled spring run-in.

This analytical feature dissects four central revelations established during the broadcast:

  • The 67% Integration Deficit vs. Tactical Execution: While Guardiola publicly casts doubt on whether a rebuilt squad can replicate the unrelenting title-winning runs of past seasons, O'Reilly's technical adaptation demonstrates how tactical clarity accelerates squad cohesion.
  • Micro-Coaching and Immediate Debrief Protocols: Guardiola’s coaching philosophy operates through relentless, real-time instruction. O'Reilly reveals that Guardiola routinely confronts players on the pitch immediately following final whistles—even after victories—to deliver specific technical corrections.
  • Async Senior Leadership Networks: In contrast to traditional workplace hierarchy, veteran leaders Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias maintain squad resilience through direct, private text messaging during adverse spells, providing psychological security to younger players.
  • Accelerated Elite Trajectory: O'Reilly's journey from grassroots football in Failsworth to a senior England debut and realistic contention for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America illustrates how rapidly tactical flexibility elevates a player's international standing.

Far from a routine promotional appearance, O'Reilly's commentary illuminates how elite sporting institutions preserve technical standards during periods of aggressive personnel renewal.

2. Context & Background: The Landscape Leading to This Conversation

To fully evaluate the significance of Nico O'Reilly's breakthrough, one must inspect the historical timeline of Manchester City's academy investment and tactical evolution over the past decade. When Pep Guardiola arrived at the City Football Academy (CFA) in the summer of 2016, his arrival was marked by a public presentation where youth team captains were invited onto the stage. Among those young academy players was an 11-year-old O'Reilly. A decade later, that same child has transformed into a six-foot-four hybrid footballer executing Guardiola's most complex tactical instructions on the Premier League stage.

The landscape leading into the 2025/26 season was defined by structural necessity. Following years of sustained success—including multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and European triumphs—the natural aging curve of City's core roster necessitated a substantial squad overhaul. Key figures from previous title-winning eras either departed or assumed diminished physical workloads. In response, Manchester City's sporting directorate chose not merely to purchase external talent, but to activate the CFA pipeline, promoting versatile home-grown players capable of fulfilling multiple positional assignments.

O'Reilly's progression through this environment was neither accidental nor linear. Raised in a single-parent household where his mother managed demanding work schedules alongside weekend travel to grassroots fixtures for Failsworth Dynamics and Boston Tigers, O'Reilly developed a physical resilience that complemented his natural technical gifts. By the time he signed his contract renewal in autumn 2025, his integration into the first team had shifted from an emergency contingency during injury crises to a permanent tactical blueprint.

Furthermore, the broader Premier League title race environment in early 2026 has intensified the scrutiny on City's squad depth. With rival clubs applying consistent pressure at the top of the table, the spring months (March through May) represent the decisive evaluation window. Guardiola's public assertion regarding the 67 percent squad turnover served a dual purpose: setting realistic external expectations while challenging his new core to prove that tactical discipline can overcome a relative lack of shared championship experience.

3. Deep-Dive Thematic Breakdown

3.1 Tactical Metamorphosis: The Inverted Midfielder/Full-Back Hybrid

In modern elite football, positional boundaries have become increasingly fluid, and Pep Guardiola has consistently led this tactical evolution. In Nico O'Reilly, Guardiola has discovered a prototype capable of redefining the physical parameters of the inverted full-back role. Standing six feet four inches tall, O'Reilly possesses a rare blend of height, aerial presence, and central press resistance that allows him to transition seamlessly between wide defensive areas and central midfield zones.

During build-up phases, O'Reilly frequently tucks inside from full-back to form a temporary dual-pivot alongside a primary central midfielder. This structural shift creates numerical superiority in the second phase of build-up, pinning opponent wingers and forcing opposing mid-blocks into uncomfortable defensive decisions. When City lose possession, O'Reilly's physical recovery stride allows him to protect transitions in the half-spaces, providing structural protection against counter-attacks.

3.2 Micro-Coaching Loops: Pep’s Post-Match Repetition Protocol

One of the most compelling insights provided by O'Reilly concerns Guardiola's relentless instructional methodology. Rather than delaying tactical analysis to formal video sessions forty-eight hours after a match, Guardiola initiates feedback loops immediately upon the termination of play. O'Reilly highlights that even following victory, Guardiola approaches players on the pitch to deliver precise technical feedback, breaking down specific positional decisions made during the preceding ninety minutes.

This micro-coaching protocol serves two distinct purposes. First, it capitalizes on immediate neurological retention, anchoring tactical adjustments while match events remain vivid in the player's memory. Second, it establishes an institutional norm where victory does not grant immunity from technical critique. For a 20-year-old navigating his breakout season, this constant instruction accelerates tactical comprehension, transforming complex spatial concepts into intuitive pitch behaviors.

3.3 The 67% Squad Overhaul: Cohesion & Title Race Dynamics

Guardiola's post-Newcastle observation that 67 percent of the squad is new underscores the central challenge facing Manchester City in the 2025/26 season. Building championship cohesion requires more than individual technical competence; it demands intuitive spatial understanding between players under extreme pressure. In past seasons, City relied on veteran combinations who could execute complex rotations without conscious thought.

O'Reilly's perspective on this turnover offers an essential counterbalance to Guardiola's public skepticism. While acknowledging the challenge of integrating a high volume of new personnel, O'Reilly emphasizes that squad connection has solidified rapidly through shared competitive pressure. The spring run-in serves as the ultimate proving ground. Far from being intimidated by the 67 percent statistic, the younger cohort views the high-stakes environment of March, April, and May as an opportunity to establish their own legacy within the club's history.

3.4 Operational Leadership & Micro-Culture: Bernardo Silva & Rúben Dias

Maintaining high standards across a squad undergoing major turnover requires strong internal leadership. O'Reilly reveals that senior figures Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias have established an informal, highly responsive leadership network designed to support younger squad members. Rather than relying solely on team meetings, Silva and Dias utilize private text messages and informal conversations to offer encouragement during difficult moments or temporary dips in form.

This asynchronous leadership style is particularly effective for modern young athletes. By sending targeted, private messages following setback fixtures, senior leaders create a safe environment that mitigates external media noise. This micro-culture of support bridges the gap between the championship veterans who possess deep muscle memory and the newly integrated talent, ensuring that tactical instructions are reinforced by emotional alignment.

3.5 Grassroots Sacrifice, Family Governance & Modern Elite Persona

The narrative arc of an elite footballer is often reduced to tactical diagrams and transfer valuations, yet O'Reilly's journey highlights the foundational role of family governance and grassroots sacrifice. Raised by a single mother who managed demanding professional commitments while coordinating weekend travel across northern England for Failsworth Dynamics and Boston Tigers, O'Reilly frames every career milestone as a shared family achievement.

This grounded upbringing directly influences his professional demeanor. Off the pitch, O'Reilly navigates contemporary cultural platforms, attending events like London Fashion Week and representing major brands such as Burberry. On the pitch, his mentality is encapsulated by the tattoo inked on his right hand: "no risk, no story." This ethos reflects a willingness to embrace high-stakes decisions on the field—whether attempting line-breaking passes or making decisive defensive interventions—without fear of failure.

3.6 International Trajectory: England and the 2026 World Cup

O'Reilly's rapid progression has elevated him into national team contention ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Having earned his first senior England call-up and debut earlier in the 2025/26 season—an achievement he admitted was beyond his initial season expectations—the midfielder now targets a definitive place on the plane for the summer tournament.

From an international scouting perspective, O'Reilly offers senior England management exceptional positional utility. His ability to operate effectively as a central midfielder, defensive screen, or inverted full-back provides invaluable tactical flexibility in tournament football, where squad depth and tactical adaptability are essential. As the spring run-in reaches its climax, O'Reilly's performances in high-pressure Premier League and European fixtures will serve as the primary criteria for his international selection.

4. Speaker Perspectives & Analytical Contrast

A critical component of evaluating any broadcast interview lies in analyzing the contrast between the hosts' narrative framing and the athlete's internal perspective. In this episode of One on One, Sky Sports presenters Joe Tomlinson and Juliet Farrington construct a narrative focused on youthful breakout success, media adaptation, fashion crossover, and emotional milestones. In contrast, Nico O'Reilly approaches every inquiry through a pragmatic, process-oriented lens focused on performance execution and team standards.

The table below summarizes these contrasting viewpoints across key analytical dimensions:

Analytical Dimension Media Framing (Tomlinson & Farrington) Athlete Perspective (Nico O'Reilly)
Squad Turnover & Rebuild Focuses on external vulnerability and the daunting challenge of replacing past legends. Views the 67% turnover as a positive challenge that has accelerated personal bond-building and team chemistry.
Guardiola's Management Highlights Guardiola's intimidating intensity and cinematic documentary persona. Emphasizes practical, real-time coaching feedback and the accessibility of Pep's open-door instruction.
Title Race Pressure Frames the spring run-in as a nerve-wracking, high-anxiety ordeal for young players. Describes the pressure as an enjoyable, motivating environment where players thrive and focus strictly on three points per match.
Senior Leadership Asks whether senior players protect or shelter young talents from external media scrutiny. Details proactive, private messaging from Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias that builds internal self-belief and tactical confidence.
Off-Pitch & Fashion Persona Highlights high-profile events like London Fashion Week (Burberry) as evidence of modern stardom. Maintains a grounded, family-first mindset, attributing success to maternal sacrifice and grassroots discipline.
International Ambitions Presents the 2026 World Cup as a potential fairytale crowning achievement for a breakout season. Treats World Cup selection as the logical, earned result of daily hard work and consistency during the club run-in.

This contrast illustrates the maturity of O'Reilly's elite mindset. While the media narrative seeks sensationalism and emotional storytelling, the athlete remains anchored in the daily operational discipline required to perform in Pep Guardiola's system.

5. Strategic & Industry Implications

The broader implications of Nico O'Reilly's integration extend far beyond individual match performances, signaling macro-level shifts across elite European football, academy valuation models, and broadcast media dynamics.

  • The Financial and Tactical Value of Academy Pipelines: Under modern financial regulations (PSR and UEFA Financial Sustainability Rules), developing homegrown talent capable of immediately entering the first team offers immense strategic value. Players like O'Reilly, Phil Foden, and Rico Lewis provide elite performance while preserving capital expenditure in transfer markets, validating the long-term ROI of the City Football Academy investment.
  • The Rise of Physical Inverted Full-Backs: O'Reilly's successful deployment signals an evolution in full-back profiles across European football. The historic preference for small, ultra-agile full-backs is increasingly supplanted by tall, physically dominant athletes (6ft 4in) who possess central midfield technical standards. This hybrid profile allows teams to maintain physical dominance in duel situations without compromising ball retention.
  • Async Mentorship as an Institutional Standard: The revelations regarding Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias' text-messaging protocols offer a blueprint for modern talent retention. In high-pressure sporting environments, structured informal leadership networks reduce player turnover and accelerate the integration of younger personnel.
  • Evolution of Sports Media Interview Frameworks: The Sky Sports One on One format demonstrates how media networks are adapting to a younger demographic of elite athletes. By combining lifestyle discussions (fashion, family, early memories) with rigorous tactical questions, broadcasters create multifaceted athlete profiles that resonate across traditional and digital audiences.

6. Looking Ahead: Unresolved Questions & Next Milestones

As Manchester City enter the final quarter of the 2025/26 season, several key questions and measurable metrics will determine both Nico O'Reilly's personal trajectory and City's broader championship ambitions:

  • Positional Stability vs. Hybrid Load: Will Guardiola solidify O'Reilly's role as a permanent inverted left-back, or will fatigue and opponent adjustments force a return to a dedicated central midfield assignment?
  • Performance in Elite Knockout Fixtures: How effectively will O'Reilly perform against world-class wingers in UEFA Champions League quarterfinals and semifinals, where defensive errors carry catastrophic consequences?
  • England Squad Consolidation: Can O'Reilly sustain his physical output through April and May to secure a final roster spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America under the England coaching staff?
  • Statistical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Track:
    • Progressive Passes and Carries per 90: Maintaining top-tier metrics in ball progression while operating in central zones.
    • Defensive Duel Win Rate (%): Utilizing his 6ft 4in frame to maintain a >65% success rate in ground and aerial duels.
    • Press Resistance Index: Minimizing ball losses under high-intensity opponent pressing during build-up phases.

The spring of 2026 represents the ultimate crucible for Nico O'Reilly and Manchester City's rebuilt squad. If the connection and confidence articulated during this interview manifest in sustained pitch performance, City's 67 percent squad overhaul will be remembered not as a period of vulnerability, but as the masterstroke of Pep Guardiola's late-era management.

💬 Key Quotes & Speaker Breakdown

Manchester City squad transition

"Pep Guardiola said after the Newcastle win that 67% of the team are new... he was saying that he's not sure that [the run of past teams] could happen again because of the new players."

— Juliet Farrington

Manchester City title race

"I think it is starting to click. We're all enjoying our time in this, you can say a bit of pressure. But yeah, we're loving it and then we seem to keep going and keep trying to win."

— Nico O'Reilly

Premier League title race

"These last three months, two or three months, are the most important, obviously. It's where things are won."

— Nico O'Reilly

World Cup 2026 ambitions

"It'd be a dream come true to go to a World Cup, as it was a dream come true to me and my debut for them, which I didn't expect coming into the season."

— Nico O'Reilly

Pep Guardiola's coaching style

"If I need help, he'll be there to help and if I need to do something better on the pitch, he'll tell me that. Even after a game if we've won, he'll come over to you and tell you, you need to do this, this and this."

— Nico O'Reilly

Pep Guardiola's management

"He's very passionate about the game and he just wants to win, win, win and I think having this mentality with the manager, it rubs off on all of us."

— Nico O'Reilly

Manchester City dressing room culture

"I'd say the leaders, Bernardo, Ruben, they helped me out so much, whether it's just a little chat off the pitch, whether it's just a little text."

— Nico O'Reilly

Pep Guardiola's arrival at Man City

"I remember the first day he came in and he was like a presentation in the car park at CFA. He was like called a captain from the young groups, went up to the stage or something. I remember that day."

— Nico O'Reilly
📜 View Full Episode Verbatim Transcript 17,662 characters
Hello and welcome back to one and one from Skysport. The podcast where we chat with some of football's biggest names, I'm Joe Tomlinson. And I'm Juliet Farrington and Joe there does come a time in every reporter's life where football is because we've been doing this job a long time now seem to be getting younger and younger. So first of all, take a listen to this from today's guest, it's Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly. You talked about your earliest England memory. It makes me feel old. 2014 Brazil World Cup. Yeah, that's what one of my first memories of England was. That was in 2014, Jules, which by the way, is 12 years ago now, which is an absolute sickening fact. It feels like yesterday. It really does. I still have pictures on my phone from the Coppa Cabana in the fan zone watching the World Cup because I was out there working at the time. But yeah, Nico O'Reilly, Manchester City's rescoring midfielder at the moment, slash fallback, 20 years old, tearing up the Premier League as we know, real breakout season. You also received his first senior England call up this season. And last week before Manchester City, it faced leads. I had a chat with him at City's Academy Stadium in the dressing room. A place he knows really well because it's where he came through those ranks from school boy to the first team. And as you're here, O'Reilly takes us back to that moment when Pep Guardiola called him up from the Academy side into the senior squad. And it's funny to think now, thinking back to 2014, that's his first memory of watching England in a World Cup. Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City a couple of years later. So all Nico O'Reilly has known is Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. So we talk about working under Pep Guardiola. We discuss City's title challenge. They are well and truly in it. And the part also that he's playing a huge part. And he tells me that he thinks the side is starting to click together at the right time. We also discuss his World Cup ambitions and how he hopes to be on that plane to the states come the summer. So it's my pleasure to introduce Sky Sports 101 this week with Nico O'Reilly. Here is Nico O'Reilly. Absolutely magnificent. It is a superb strike from a young man who is right on top of his game. Nico thanks for joining us on it. It was a really busy time. Things are going so well for Manchester City at the moment. But so well for you as well since signing your last deal back in the autumn of last year. Can you just talk us through those months since you put pen to paper? Yeah. So that was towards start of season when I signed the renewal. And yeah, things have been pretty good ever since. And just take every day as it comes, every game as it comes, and just travel hardest. In what way have things gone well? In terms of on the pitch, game time, performances, bonds are created on my teammates and the staff. And yeah, I feel a lot more comfortable. When you talk about those bonds, connections, how important is that for a young player, but a young player who's coming through, grabbing headlines, England as well, call-ups amongst the senior team? How important is that in your own personal development? Yeah, it's very important, I think the only way to play your best is to play the confidence and to people around you help you with the confidence. And I think since maybe the start of the season and moving on, everyone's helped me out. And yeah, I think I grew as a player and a person. Who's been the biggest influence then in these connections that you've made? I won't say anyone in particular. I think everyone as a whole group. Come on, there must be one or two. I'd say the leaders, Bernardo, Rubin, they helped me out so much, where Rich just a little chat off the pitch, where Rich just a little tech star. Yeah, it built a lot of confidence within yourself. And yeah, it just makes you want to go out on the pitch and put your all in and work side you can. Not kind of saying that they want to look after you, but not revealing the things that they say to you. But can you give us an insight to sort of those kind of messages maybe that pop up on your phone? So maybe if we're going through a difficult situation or a little rough patch and they're like, no, it's time for us to get together and I'll work together and we'll get through this and like just a little message like that to encourage us and inspire us to go and win games and stuff like that. Because I imagine there were quite a lot of those messages last season when you were coming into the team. Obviously, you know why you were coming into the team because of the setbacks the team were having with injuries and suspensions and everything else. Yeah, it was a difficult season last year. So yeah, definitely a lot of them conversations I had. And again, this season, there's a lot of new players, a lot of young players. So yeah, it's been a good challenge to adapt to each other and find out what everyone's good at on the pitch. So yeah, it's been good. It's been a challenge. But yeah, we all get along and we're all enjoying it. The one thing Pep Guardiola said, I think it was after the Newcastle win that 67% of the team are new and people are talking about the position that Manchester City are in and the run that we all know this team or teams in the past have gone on. And he was saying that he's not sure that that could happen again because of the new players. How do you feel at the moment? I feel good. I feel confident we've been in the team. How does the team feel? The same confident. Yeah, we're feeling good. We're in a good position. I see we can be in a better position. But yeah, as I said, it's just every game now. We just need to get the three points. I know, yeah, that's how I mean. Do you feel when you talk about the connection at the start of this interview? Do you feel those connections are now in place amongst all of you and the new players, the new surroundings and these connections? And it is all clicking into place. Yeah, I think it is. I think it is starting to click. And as I said, yeah, we're all enjoying our time in this, you can say a bit of pressure. But yeah, we're loving it and then we seem to keep going and keep trying to win. Because the one thing as well, that this team does have players within this team, the leaders that you talk about, muscle memory, you know how to do it. And they're taking you along for the ride with them. Yeah, it's so important to have plays like this. We've been in the team. We've all been there. We've done it. And then just to help us along the way, obviously, all the new players and the young players have come for, so yeah, they definitely have the one thing I saw an interview that you did when you were called up back in the autumn with England. You talked about your earliest England memory. It makes me feel old. 2014, Brazil World Cup. Was that when you really started to get into football around that time? So you would have been nine years old. No, I started earlier than that. But you just remember that work up in particular. Yeah, that's one of my first memories of England was, but yeah, I started around three, four years old. Because you've talked about your mum and obviously she brought you up on a road. Do you remember the car journeys and that sort of thing when you were going to play for sort of fails worth and you were playing, uh, Boston as well, wasn't it, Boston Dynamics? Boston Tigers. Boston Tigers fails worth Dynamics. Do you remember those car journeys and yeah, can you take us back to that time? So yeah, the games have been Saturdays or Sundays and I remember I'd go to one game and I'd have to rush go to the other game while she's working. So yeah, it was all, um, a rush and I'd work for what, looking back on it. Yeah, it's good memories. You also said that she kind of lived her life through you, her dedication. She's given through you wanting to see you succeed. So when you come to the academy, what was that like then? Yeah, it's like every, every goal and achievement I hit is, um, also an achievement for her as well. Yeah, she puts everything into into my career. So yeah, I was grateful for that. And the goals you said at the start of the season that you had, how many of those have you ticked off so far? Yeah, a few. A few are still more, more that I need to tick off and I'm more I want to achieve, but yeah, definitely getting there. What are the goals you've ticked off then so far? My England debut, Champions League goal, obviously just just playing on the team. Two goals in one match in the Premier League? I didn't have that one in, but yeah, I'll take it off. You just put that one just at that one of the, somewhere in the middle. Going back to 2014 when you remember England in the World Cup, what did you know about Pep Guadiole because he's all you've ever known, isn't he? Yeah. 2016 he came to Manchester City. Yeah. So you were a bit of 11 maybe? Yeah, I remember the first day he came in and he was like a presentation in the car park at CFA. He was like called a captain from the young groups, went up to the stage or something. I remember that day. And yeah, I just remember, obviously one of the best managers in the world then came from Barcelona, came from Bayern and then the things he's achieved there is unbelievable. Did you know much about him though before? I know a little bit. Yeah, I know a little bit. I didn't know too much. I was still kind of young, but yeah, I know for a bit. And what do you think now fast forward to where we are now in 2026? Yeah, it's unbelievable. The stuff he's achieved here and I'm worried about the club and he's done so much for this club and yeah, we've won so much as a club. What a player, I would say. Of course, they give a lot of minutes, but he deserves it. The minutes he plays, he deserves it. Does his intensity, does his drive? It rubs off on. It's infectious, isn't it? I imagine as a player, it rubs off and you just want to do so well for someone like that. Yeah, definitely. He's a very passionate about the game and yeah, he just wants to win, win, win and I think having this mentality with the manager and yeah, it rubs off on all of us and that's what we want to do. What's the best piece? I imagine he's given quite a lot of advice. Yeah. What's the best piece, the one piece of advice that sticks with you that has been the most valuable? Yeah, every day he comes up with something new that that we all learn from and take him and he's great. Maybe take us inside that dressing room. What is he like? We've seen him, obviously, various documentaries and things like that. What's he been like though with you? Yeah, the same. He treats me the same as everyone else and yeah, he's good. If I need help, he'll be there to help and if I need to do something better on the pitch, he'll tell me that. But yeah, he's always trying to help even after a game if we've gone. If we win a game and walk around the pitch or come over to you and tell you, you need to do this, this and this and yeah, it's good. It helps you. It helps as a person as a player. Because here, we're in, obviously, the academy area. You know this dressing room quite well. Yeah. When you know he wants you to come over and join the senior set up, what was that feeling like? What was that conversation like? It was a bit surreal at first. It was like, I'm really going to be there now with all the first team players, first team staff. Yeah, it was a bit bit nerve-wracking at first, obviously, as it would be. But yeah, as I said, as soon as you start growing into the team and I'm building confidence, it kind of then feels normal and I feel like, oh yeah, these are actually my teammates now. When you look at them from the academy, they're all superstars and when, now, I feel like my teammates, my friends, and yeah, we go. You're one of them, and they're one of you. Yeah. Who was your standout? Who was your player? You looked up to the most? Kevin DeGron. Yeah, he was such a nice person, so I'm welcome in and obviously on the pitch, we know what Kevin was like. Yeah, so good. And I know the grind to get to where you are now is done in the winter months. You put yourself in that position. I always remember Pep telling me, start of the season, see where we are in March and April. The hard work's been done now, hasn't it, through the winter, to get you to where you are now? Yeah, I think, um, these last three months, two or three months, are the most important, obviously. It's where things are won, isn't it? Yeah, it's where things are won. There's been a lot of games, there's still a lot of games to come in all competitions, but yeah, this is the time now where everything matters. You've seen your teammates do it before, go on these runs more than capable of doing it again? Yeah, definitely. As I said, that's the aim. I mean, we want to try and win everything, and then that's what we're going to try and do. And at the end of it, whatever the outcome is, England, is that on your list? Yeah, definitely. Definitely, um, yeah, it'd be a dream come true. It'd go to a World Cup, um, as it was, a dream come true to me and my debut for them, which uh, didn't expect coming into the season. Um, but yeah, obviously, I'm grateful for that opportunity, and um, yeah, I'll keep working hard to try and get myself in the finals quite for the summer. It's what gets you there, isn't it? Yeah. The work, determination, craft, will go well. Enjoy the rest of this season. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Jules, I absolutely love Nico. I have to say I've worked them a couple of times. What a great presence he is for a 21 year old. He speaks so well, given he hasn't done an awful lot of media in the past and fingers crossed that injury isn't too bad. And he's back for England and that international camp ahead of what is going to be hopefully for him a very busy summer. Yeah, that's what he's hoping as you heard from that conversation. 21 later this month as well. Six foot four big presence, as you said there. Yeah. And the media side of things, when you're so young and you're breaking through into the Premier League, a lot of cameras, a lot of action, a lot of microphones, and it can be quite unnerving. And I think he's quite, he's a very relaxed person. I think he can be quite shy as well. So for him to articulate and talk so openly as he's done, it just seems to come natural to him. Nothing seems to phase him, whatsoever. And he was telling me before we started the conversation that it'd been to London Fashion Week last week with a couple of players as well. A lot of players went to London Fashion Week, really like the Burberry show. I think that's where he was packed. But he's not a flash guy in any way, shapeable form. He's very much a family first kind of person. His mom definitely comes first because she brought him up as a single parent and she's lived her life through him coming through Manchester City. And as I say, it just seems a world away from the the knee-sliding goal celebrations that we've seen from him this season. Perhaps a little bit like his hero Kevin DeBroida. And I noticed on his right hand as well as we were talking, he had the words no risk, no story inked in. And that's the way you place football, isn't it? And look where he's got him from the academy to City's first team. And now the England senior team as well. So what a year it could be for a young Nico 21 later this month. And perhaps maybe a Premier League title, an FA Cup, a League Cup Champions League. It's not beyond the realms of probability because as he says, he thinks City are just clicking at the right time. And who knows a place at the World Cup for England this summer? So that's it. Thanks for listening to this episode of 101. If you enjoyed the podcast, make sure you give the show a follow wherever you're listening to us. So you don't miss out on our next one. You can also watch us on YouTube and the Sky Sports News. So look out for our interviews. There are Jules. Is it another youngster you've got this week? It is. We're going even younger. 19-year-old Lewis Miley, Newcastle's rising star had a conversation with him earlier on this year. So an opportunity now presents itself to let you listen to that interview we did. Looking back from his journey from grassroots football and his three brothers to winning the League Cup with Newcastle United, the club he supported all his life. I was on a table on Sunday night, next to his table with his brothers and his family in Durham because he picked up the North East Football Writers Award for Young Player of the Year in the North East. He looked well-dapper in his bow tie and his inner suit. 19-year-old Lewis Miley will be bringing you that conversation on one-on-one next week. Can't wait for it. Catch you soon, Jules. See you soon, Jules. Hi, I'm Tamsing Greenway and I'm Tracey Neville and we've teamed up this season for Sky Net Wars Off the Court podcast. Join us every week as we shoot through the hottest topics in Netville. We'll bring you everything you need to know from the super league to the super shot, all building towards the Commonwealth Games. Open up your book of great sporting moments and find this on the cover in the middle and on the back page. Make sure you give Off the Court a follow where you listen to your podcasts or find us on YouTube. That's Off the Court, a Sky Sports Podcast.