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O’Reilly has only won five senior caps for the Three Lions heading into the finals, but has quickly cemented his place as Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice left-back.
As a former left-back himself, Bridge was perfectly placed to speak about the 21-year-old’s potential and hailed his physical and technical attributes.
Speaking exclusively to Freebets.com, Bridge said: "He's one of my favourite players of the season. I loved him ever since he came onto the scene.
Wayne Bridge: 'Nico O'Reilly can be England's World Cup star'
“He started as a midfielder but slotted into full-back really well. He ends up in positions where he's in the box, and he's a big lad. He's comfortable on the ball whatever position he's in, whether that’s in the attacking box, or receiving it on the wings with players around him.
“You just hope that the way England play is going to be very different to Man City. But I think he can cope in any scenario. I think this could be one of those tournaments where he really announces himself on the football stage."
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The former England full-back is excited by the midfield options at Tuchel’s disposal and feels there is enough cover in the wide areas to cope if Bukayo Saka’s injury problems resurface.
"I'd probably expect him [Saka] to start, but he's going to have to be assessed medically. You've got options — Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon. As important as Saka is, I think we've got enough in the squad to cope if he can't play.
“I think it's one of those things that if you're going to go on the big stage, in your head you'll know whether you should or shouldn't play — and I think the medical team should know that as well.
“Wayne Rooney was just a different breed in terms of what he would put his body through. But I'm sure they're not going to be stupid. On the biggest stage, you want to make sure you've got someone who's not going to hinder the team or hinder themselves."
Much was made about Tuchel’s decision to leave Cole Palmer and Phil Foden out of the squad, and while Bridge admits he would have taken Palmer, he insists there is more than enough quality to progress deep into the tournament.
"I was like every other fan — probably a Chelsea fan or a Cole Palmer fan — when he was scoring those goals, going 'why the hell is he not starting?' But it has been a tough season for him. Would I have taken him? I was swaying towards yes.
“But it's such a hard job and football is just full of opinions. I love Rashford as a player, I love Gordon as a player — I think they're direct and they're dangerous. I think there's too much talk on who's being left behind sometimes. There's enough quality in that team to go and do well. Me personally, I love Palmer and Foden — but they haven't had their best seasons. Palmer probably would have sneaked it in — I would have taken him, if I'm honest.
"We could have taken Palmer and I'd have named him straight away. But it depends who starts. If Rashford starts, then Gordon's coming on with fresh legs. You've got Madueke, who's quick. You've got Harry Kane as well — you can't forget about Kane. There are enough people in there with the ability to change a game.”
However, Bridge believes England will just fall short and fears their 60-year wait for major men’s trophy will continue beyond this summer, and is backing France to go all the way.
"My natural response if I've sat down having a pint with my mates is: we could be absolutely terrible, do nothing, or we could go on and win it. That is literally my response. That is tournament football. They could go all the way and win it, or it could go very wrong.
“It wouldn't surprise me if there are some surprises though — Morocco are dangerous, Japan could be a dark horse. If I had to pick one team, I'd be picking France. Sadly, I'm not picking England, but I'd love to see them go all the away."
