OM: Matt O’Riley, the Left-Footed Maestro Who Speeds Up the Game

An Unusual Path, a Much-Awaited Arrival

Matt O’Riley is not your typical player. Born in London to an English father and a Danish mother, and developed at Fulham, he faced the harsh reality of football very early. At 19, he found himself without a club, forced to start again from the bottom to keep chasing his dream. MK Dons offered him a lifeline, and from there he exploded at Celtic Glasgow, where he became one of the best midfielders in the Scottish Premiership and discovered the Champions League. Brighton spotted the opportunity and paid nearly €30 million in 2024 to bring him to the Premier League. But a fragile ankle, a tricky knee, and tough competition slowed his rise. Now, at Marseille on loan, he has the chance to relaunch his career and bring to the Vélodrome what he does best: rhythm.

His international choice raised eyebrows. After representing England at youth level, O’Riley ultimately chose Denmark, his mother’s homeland. He joined the senior team in 2023 but is still fighting for a bigger role. OM might just be the springboard to get him there.

A Box-to-Box With a Silky Left Foot

On the pitch, O’Riley defines himself as a box-to-box midfielder. He can play as a 6, 8, or 10, but it’s as a number 8 that he shines brightest. Tall, tireless, aggressive in pressing and sharp in anticipation, he wins balls deep and high, and instantly turns them into chances with his technique.

His left foot is his trademark. Crisp, curling strikes; pinpoint diagonals; floating in-swinging crosses; deadly set pieces — O’Riley can do it all. At Celtic, he became one of the most creative players in the league, topping the charts for key passes and chances created. Even in the Premier League, despite injuries, he ranked among the most productive midfielders, at times surpassing benchmarks like Kevin De Bruyne in chances generated per game.

Qualities and Limits

Of course, he’s not flawless. O’Riley isn’t a sprinter. His game is built more on passing and spatial awareness than on bursts of speed. In front of goal, he mixes flashes of brilliance with frustrating misses, particularly when forced onto his weaker right foot. And while he has superb stamina, he sometimes puts too much pressure on himself. At Marseille, the challenge will be taming the Vélodrome volcano: an atmosphere that can elevate a player, but can also weigh heavily. His years at Celtic suggest he has the shoulders to thrive under that pressure.

The Art of Making the Ball Run

This is where his real value lies. O’Riley won’t add depth through pace, but he’ll make the ball move faster than anyone. His ability to break lines with passes, combine in one touch, switch play in a heartbeat or deliver the perfect ball at the right tempo can transform OM’s identity. Roberto De Zerbi loves these inverted profiles: a left-footer on the right side of midfield, linking full-back and winger in devastating triangles.

With O’Riley, OM gains a discreet but decisive conductor, a player who doesn’t seek the spotlight but lights up the game. At 23, he embodies a bet on intelligence — one that could restore creativity and flow to Marseille’s midfield.

A Marseillais State of Mind

Beyond football, O’Riley fits the Marseille DNA. In Glasgow, he was known to stay behind after matches to sign every autograph, take every picture, and give fans his time. A small detail, but one that matters in a city where love for the shirt and closeness to the people mean everything.

The loan deal still carries some uncertainty — some sources say with an option to buy, others without — but one thing is clear: if it works, OM may have found not only a tactical gem but also a player who embodies the values and spirit of the club.