Welcome to RadarSki Sports column in which Nick Wright uses a mix of data and opinion to shed light on the need-to-know stories from up and down the Premier League. this week:
⭐ O’Reilly’s increasing value to Man City
📊 Maatsen’s creativity for Aston Villa
🔥Tiago finishes for Brentford
🔍 Player to watch this weekend
Tall, technical and faster than Haaland
Manchester City’s trip to Real Madrid brought Nick O’Reilly’s first Champions League goal. Minutes after scoring the first, the 20-year-old had a hand in the second as his chipped cross led to Antonio Rudiger’s foul on Erling Haaland for the penalty.
Nico O’Reilly was active in both boxes, on the left flank and in midfield
It was another game that highlighted the extent of his bid for Pep Guardiola’s side. A goal from a set piece, dangerous jumps on the left side, inversions in the midfield, as many touches in the opponent’s field as Haaland, but also defensive diligence at the other end.
O’Reilly admitted he should have been closer to Rodrigo for the Real Madrid goal. But in the cauldron of the Bernabeu, this midfielder did not go through even once. “I made up for it in the end,” he said after being named man of the match.
He can feel confident of keeping his place in Guardiola’s starting line-up to face Crystal Palace, live Ski Sports on Sunday. Manchester City signed a specialist left-back in Ryan Ait-Nouri in the summer, but O’Reilly has proved difficult to dislodge.
He continues to improve the side.
O’Reilly’s introduction to the team in April last season coincided with a run of five wins in six Premier League games that lifted Manchester City back into the Champions League. Its reintroduction in September had a similar impact.
In two campaigns, Manchester City have a remarkable 82 per cent win rate in the 17 Premier League games they have started. Without him, that number drops to 47 percent. The side scores more goals and concedes less when he plays.
His inclusion, of course, is not the only factor. But the numbers certainly help explain his value to Guardiola.
O’Reilly has emerged as the manager’s clear first choice at left-back, allowing Josko Guardiola to return to his natural position at centre-back. He appears to have the same status for England, having impressed Thomas Tuchel in last month’s internationals.
He brings a unique profile to the role, combining the technical ability of an attacking midfielder with outstanding physical attributes.
Nico O’Reilly reached a top speed of 35.98 km/h this season
At 6ft 4in, his stature is invaluable in both boxes. Unusually, however, he also ranks among the top 10 fastest players in the Premier League having clocked more speed than any other Manchester City player this season, including even Haaland.
That “unbelievable” pace, to quote Guardiola after the Real Madrid game, is an advantage at both ends of the field.
Sunday, December 14 at 12:30 p.m
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O’Reilly is able to keep pace with opposition runners at the back when Manchester City hold a high line, in the style of an alienated Kyle Walker, while also accelerating away from the marker in the final third, where he continues to make a significant contribution.
His all-around effectiveness was evident throughout the season.
O’Reilly ranks first among Manchester City players in tackles and third in interceptions and aerial strikes in the Premier League, while also ranking highly in terms of shots and chances created.
Nico O’Reilly contributed defensively and offensively
His goal against Real Madrid, slotted in from close range after a set-piece, was his fourth since his Manchester City breakthrough. He also contributed four assists and would have had a fifth if Haaland hadn’t thwarted Thibaut Courtois with O’Reilly’s typically accurate cross in first-half stoppage time on Wednesday.
Against a Palace side missing the injured Daniel Munoz in their flank, O’Reilly will be looking to add to those numbers on Sunday and offer further evidence of his growing importance to Guardiola.
Matsen has earned Emery’s trust
From one left back to another in Ian Matsen. The 23-year-old has had to be patient at Aston Villa following his £37.5m move from Chelsea last year. Ultimately, however, he appears to have usurped Lucas Digne as Unai Emery’s first choice in the position.
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Watch highlights from Aston Villa’s win over Arsenal
After starting back-to-back Premier League games against Brighton and Arsenal, the latest clue came against Basel on Thursday night when he was benched for the first time this season in a Europa League game, with Emery seemingly conserving his energy for the trip to West Ham, live. Ski Sports on Sunday.
Matsen did well against two tough opponents in Yankuba Minteh and Bukayo Saka in the wins over Brighton and Arsenal, but it is offensively where he stands out. Quick and direct, he offers a different kind of threat to specialist Digne.
Ian Maatsen provided creativity and attacking threat from left back
That threat was evident in the last two Premier League games but has been a feature of his displays throughout his time at Aston Villa. Among players still at the club, he tops both expected assists and open-play chances created per 90 minutes since the start of last season. Only Ollie Watkins averaged more shots.
Now that he’s also showing signs of defensive improvement, he’s getting a chance to unleash those attacking qualities more consistently. Emery will be hoping to continue in the same vein as Villa aim to maintain their winning streak at the London Stadium.
Sunday, December 14 at 12:30 p.m
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Will Thiago strike again?
Brentford take on Leeds live Ski Sports on Sunday after losing back-to-back games on the road, but they are a different proposition at the Gtech Community Stadium. Only Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa have taken more points at home than their 16 this term.
Only Erling Haaland scored more goals than Igor Tiago this season
Igor Tiago has more than played his part, scoring seven goals in his last five home games. They will once again look to the Brazilian to make a difference after becoming one of the most dangerous front nines in the Premier League this season.
His success owes much to his instinctive ability in the penalty area, with 10 of his 11 goals so far being firsts. That is the most of any Premier League player and, although his tally includes five penalties, it still underlines his ruthlessness as a finisher.
Sunday, December 14, 4:00 p.m
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Player Radar: Who else to watch out for
After goals in back-to-back games against Fulham and Shelburne, Crystal Palace Eddie Nketiah is finding some rhythm after starting the campaign due to injury. Could he add to his tally against Manchester City on Sunday?
Live Radar: What’s in the Sky This Weekend?
Saturday Night Football look Burnley host Fulham from 5 p.m Ski Sports Premier League and The main event before kick-off at 5:30 p.m.
There are five games available to watch Ski Sports on Super weekwith The Crystal Palace vs Man City, Nottingham Forest vs Spurs, Sunderland vs Newcastle and West Ham vs Aston Villa kicks off at 2pm, before Brentford host Leeds at 4.30pm.
Monday Night Football is Man Utd against Bournemouth from 6:30 p.m Ski Sports Premier League and The main event; beginning at 8 p.m.
Read last week’s Radar column
The last column analyzed Liverpool’s vulnerability to long passing and direct play before they dropped more points in a 3-3 draw against Leeds at Elland Road.