Matt O'Riley
Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley has opened up about his preferred playing position and the challenges he faced during his first season with the Seagulls. Speaking during international duty with Denmark, O’Riley emphasized his effectiveness in a No.8 role, expressing that he feels most capable when playing box-to-box. Despite being utilized in various positions, including as a winger and a false No.9, O’Riley believes his contributions are maximized when deployed in the midfield.
Matt O’Riley said: “I’m best at the No.8 position, where I can go box to box. I’ve only played two games there, otherwise I’ve been used as a winger, false No.9 or something else. I’m just saying my opinion. I can play better for the team if I play in the No.8 position, but I can play well in other positions. You can say it in a way that’s not aggressive. If you’re honest with another person, you don’t lose anything.”
O’Riley also touched upon the honest discussions he has had with Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler regarding his role on the team. He noted that these conversations have been constructive and have helped him improve defensively, which he believes will benefit both his club and national team performances.
Matt O’Riley said: “My coach said I should work on my defensive attitude so I could defend better and help the team that way. I think that will also help on the national team.”
Off the field, O’Riley has faced personal challenges that have impacted his performance. He candidly shared that difficulties in his private life, coupled with sitting out games, have made it challenging to maintain high-level performances.
Matt O’Riley said: “It’s been difficult this season. Both sitting out, but it’s also been difficult in my private life. Some things have happened to people close to me, and it’s made it difficult to perform at a high level. If you’re not stable off the pitch, it’s hard to be on the pitch.”
Despite these challenges, O’Riley remains committed to contributing to the team in any capacity. He expressed his willingness to play in multiple roles, including as a No.10 or No.6, to support the team’s objectives.
Matt O’Riley said: “I just want to be on the pitch and help the team. I think I can do that as a ten, as a six and an eight.”
In addition to his positional preferences, O’Riley revealed that a knee issue earlier in the year significantly hampered his ability to perform at his best. The injury, which followed a match against Ipswich in January, resulted in persistent fluid build-up, limiting his training capabilities.
Matt O’Riley said: “The most frustrating one was my knee after Ipswich (in January). I was trying to train with it but there was just so much fluid on my knee every day. It was two months of playing at nowhere near my best capacity so I think that is more frustrating, when you are trying to train but you can’t really show yourself.”
As the season progresses, O’Riley’s focus remains on overcoming these hurdles and proving his worth in his favored position, whether at Brighton or potentially at another club, with reported interest from teams in Italy, Germany, and the Premier League.
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