Pep Guardiola hailed the impact Rico Lewis had during Manchester City’s 3-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
The youngster was a bundle of energy throughout the 90 minutes as he produced a Player of the Match performance in Germany. Guardiola was left delighted with what he saw and said the teenager would be playing more this season.
“What a player! What a player! 18 years old. I have been a manager for 14, 15 years training unbelievable players. To find a player like him playing in the pockets, how he has to move in holding midfield, full-back coming inside moving in the spaces – he is one of the best I ever trained by far,” Guardiola said in the post-match interview.
“He is a humble guy, doesn’t talk much, but has the appreciation of all his mates. He didn’t play much this season – last season he was a key point and helped us understand what we should do in our build-up. Today was proof again. This season he hasn’t played as much but he is going to play a lot.”
Lewis joined Manchester City’s first-team squad in the pre-season of 2022/23 as he was selected to head out to the United States for the summer US Tour. Guardiola said he wasn’t planning to take Lewis until coach Carlos Vicens suggested the inclusion of the now 18-year-old.
“His composure from day one is always surprising. I didn’t even consider bringing him on pre-season the previous one. Carlos Vicens said ‘Maybe you can bring Rico’. Because he can play right-back, left-back, I didn’t know him.” Guardiola revealed.
Lewis was involved in Manchester City’s first goal by exchanging passes with Bernardo Silva before setting up Phil Foden.
The 18-year-old has played six matches so far for Manchester City in the Premier League, EFL Carabao Cup, and the Champions League. Although he is yet to score a goal, he has been a delight to watch.
