Thomas Tuchel urged to pick two-cap England player for World Cup after surprise position switch

Nico O’Reilly has been tipped to make England’s World Cup squad this summer as a midfield option.

The Manchester City youngster has starred in his natural position this season as well as at left-back since breaking into the first-team.

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Having been transformed into a full-back by Pep Guardiola, O’Reilly earned his first senior international call-up in October.

Thomas Tuchel later handed him his Three Lions debut against Serbia in November before he also started against Albania.

Both of those appearances came at left-back, with England winning both matches to complete a perfect qualifying campaign.

However, his match-winning display in midfield for City on Saturday has opened a debate over where he could feature in the summer.

O’Reilly scored both goals as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Newcastle 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Those goals took his tally for the season to six in 39 appearances along with five assists.

O’Reilly backed for England

Speaking on Weekend Sports Breakfast on Sunday, Tony Cascarino hailed the 20-year-old’s performances.

The talkSPORT co-host began: “O’Reilly’s a midfielder more to me than a wing-back. He can do both, by the way.”

Host Shebahn Aherne then asked Cascarino where he would be called up to play in the World Cup squad.

He added: “It would be very hard to ignore him because someone 6 foot 3 inches with his ability technically, his pace, his aerial threat.

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“When you see him standing on the pitch, you don’t realise how big he is.

“He’s a real unit as a young man of 20 and he seems to have a great mentality.

“It was a great day for him yesterday, but he’s been playing. You look at how many games he’s played for City this year. He’s been involved since the start of the season.”

Cascarino’s stance was echoed by Henry Winter on Sunday Edition as he explained: “I think he’s probably going to the World Cup.

“Possibly [he would have got in] as a left-back. England have had 12 left-backs since the Euro final. So many players have played across there.

“But the point is that O’Reilly, how good was he in midfield? How good was he as a number 10? England have got incredible strength in depth.”

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England return to action next month with friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

It will be the last chance for players to impress Tuchel first hand before the Three Lions head to North America for the World Cup.

His side face New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida in June on the eve of the tournament.

They are then scheduled to take on Croatia, Ghana and Panama during the group stage this summer.