Troy Deeney feels England’s Nico O’Reilly has been going under the radar at the World Cup, not putting in bad performances, but not doing well enough either.
The Manchester City star has played in all six of England’s games this summer, starting five of them, with his only substitute appearance coming against Ghana in the group stage.
While some areas of the pitch have been up for discussion, O’Reilly has nailed down left-back as his position, clearly establishing himself as first choice under Thomas Tuchel.
That in itself is a remarkable achievement given the 21-year-old sees himself more as a midfielder and only developed as a left-back as he was filling in at Manchester City due to injuries.
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Deeney, though, has been frustrated by O’Reilly’s performances at the World Cup and feels he has been ‘getting away with murder’ while others receive more criticism.
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke has been called out for his underwhelming performances, but Deeney reckons O’Reilly has been no better.
‘By the way, he’s [O’Reilly] been getting away with murder,’ the former Watford striker said on talkSPORT. ‘Because he’s been playing just as good as Madueke.
‘I don’t think Madueke has had a bad game. He’s just been in the middle. I’m just saying, the level of what you look for in an attacking player is much different to what you look for in a defensive player.
‘Nico O’Reilly hasn’t been great. He’s been okay. For a player of his talent, and a player of his ability, okay shouldn’t be good enough.’
Deeney thinks Tuchel should go for a different option at left-back against Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final, believing Djed Spence would be better equipped to handle Lionel Messi.
‘It’s just coming up against Messi, because that’s what he’s going to come in on the left side,’ he said. ‘I would probably have to go Djed Spence just to match him. And say to Djed Spence, “Just follow him. If he goes inside, go inside.”‘
There had been a concern over O’Reilly’s fitness ahead of the semi-finals, but he is now expected to be available to start on Wednesday in Atlanta.
Declan Rice is also thought to be fit enough to be involved after only managing the first half of the win over Norway in the quarter-finals, having been ill.
Reece James also returned from the bench in that match after a hamstring problem and may be risked from the start against Argentina, with Jarell Quansah still suspended.
Spence is another option at right-back, if the England staff do not feel James is capable of getting through a match from the start.