Manchester City: Who is Billy O’Brien? Why is he on the UCL squad?
Featured in Manchester City’s Champions League squad for Wednesday is the mysterious Billy O’Brien.
Pep Guardiola is known for surprises. Here’s another: His selection of the unknown Billy O’Brien as one of the 21 chosen for Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League tie against Celtic.
Here's your @ChampionsLeague travelling squad! #mcfc pic.twitter.com/UqANbMVZXd
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 27, 2016
So who is the mysterious O’Brien?
Well, he’s a goalkeeper in City’s youth academy. O’Brien has been with the academy since 10. According to BlueMoon, he earned a two-year scholarship and impressed with the Under-16s due to his keen distribution and ball handling — the reasons Pep probably likes him. O’Brien is also know for his ability to handle opposing crosses. In 2014, he was loaned to Hyde FC. Now 20, O’Brien also features for Wales’ U-21 side.
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Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Guardiola’s chosen O’Brien to join the first team. Prior to the start of the season, O’Brien accompanied the senior squad on its preseason tour in Germany and China instead of training in Croatia with the rest of the youth squad.
So, his career is one to watch with interest in the coming years. His academy competition includes Angus Gunn and Ian Lawlor. Listed as “did not train,” Gunn wasn’t included for the upcoming UCL tie, opening the door for O’Brien to gain some first team experience.
As the third keeper behind Willy Caballero and Claudio Bravo, it’s unlikely O’Brien will play unless disaster strikes City. The other youngsters put on the squad, Pablo Maffeo and Angelino, are more likely to get minutes, especially if the Blues develop a comfortable lead over the traditional power in the Scottish Premier League.
Nevertheless, O’Brien’s second call-up is another example of Guardiola’s fondness for both him and City’s youth players.