Pep Guardiola credits this player for Manchester City’s sudden resurgence in Premier League title race
The 18-year-old has had limited starts in his breakout campaign but his proficiency and maturity have even left the Spaniard astonished.
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Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on his English teenage full-back Rico Lewis during an interview this week. The 18-year-old has had limited starts in his breakout campaign but his proficiency and maturity have even left the Spaniard astonished.
Guardiola said, “It’s thanks to Rico – he helped us to understand what we had to do to play better and better, the movement he does makes many things fluid.” Rico Lewis has made 12 starts in all competitions, the majority coming during an intense period just after the World Cup when Manchester City struggled for rhythm.
Pep Guardiola said Rico Lewis “changed the game” after his half-time introduction helped Manchester City claim a 1-0 win over Chelsea and compared the 18-year-old to legendary World Cup winner Philipp Lahm.
Guardiola moved Lahm into a midfield role at Bayern Munich and the former Germany captain is considered as one of the all-time greatest full-backs – winning the World Cup in 2014 before retiring from club football in 2017. Guardiola also said, “There are players that play for themselves really well, but he has the ability to make all the team play better.”
The Spanish coach also said “We need Rico Lewis – because for him it’s wow, it’s new. ‘I want to be there, I want to play, I want to stay a long time here, I want to win one Premier League.” After scoring against Sevilla on just his fifth senior appearance, Lewis is now also the second-youngest English player to score in the Champions League behind Jude Bellingham, who was 17 years and 290 days old.
Related: Aymeric Laporte wants to get “revenge” against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals
Man City open talks with James McAtee
Manchester City are ready to open talks over a new contract for £25million-rated midfielder James McAtee following his successful loan spell with Sheffield United. McAtee also wants to claim a first-team place at Manchester City and has been encouraged by Pep Guardiola’s praise for his performances this season. City plan to open talks over a new contract for the midfielder and he is keen to sign.
City had hoped to add Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund but he is leaning towards a move to Real Madrid. llkay Gundogan has the offer to extend his stay at City but also has an offer from Barcelona. The German international, however, is still to be assured that the Spanish champions-elect can make the necessary financial cuts to register his signing.
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Arpan Ghosh
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