Nico O’Reilly reveals next target after being crowned PFA Young Player of the Year

Fresh from claiming the PFA Young Player of the Year award following a standout breakthrough campaign, Nico O’Reilly has set his sights on "bigger and better things". The 21-year-old collected the honour on Tuesday after a stellar 2025-26 season, during which he helped City to a domestic cup double and featured in England's run to third place at the World Cup. Looking ahead to his future ambitions, O’Reilly said: "Hopefully bigger and better things. I want to go to the next step in my game, I want to go to the next level. "That’s all I’m trying to do, work every day to try and improve and get better. That’s my goal, that’s my aim. Nico O’Reilly won a domestic cup double with Man City last season (PA Wire) "I want goals, I want assists, I want to keep playing for my country, and I want to win trophies." Though he progressed through City’s youth ranks as an attacking midfielder, O’Reilly earned his initial run in the senior side playing at left-back. "It all just happened so quick. The chances came, (I had) a bit of luck and I took those chances. It was an amazing season, one I’m very proud of," he admitted. Having established himself under Pep Guardiola , O’Reilly is now adapting to life at City under new boss Enzo Maresca , and spoke positively about the transition. O’Reilly said: "Obviously Pep was at the club for 10 years. He did such a good job and he was an amazing manager. It was so good to learn stuff from him. O’Reilly is now adapting to life under Enzo Maresca (PA Wire) "Enzo’s come in and he’s been very positive since he came in. The sessions have been very intense. He’s very demanding, very passionate and he’s a very, very good manager." O’Reilly started City’s opening game of the season on Sunday as Maresca’s men came from behind to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium. City will be back in action on Friday night when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace before facing newly promoted Coventry City the following weekend. Attention will then turn to the first Manchester derby of the season, which is due to take place at Old Trafford on 13 September.